Ex-Canadian Intel Confirms Trudeau's Claims in US Indictment
In a significant development, former heads of Canadian intelligence have asserted that the recent indictment in a US Federal Court, involving the alleged plot to kill Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun, aligns with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s earlier statement in the House of Commons. The indictment, which revolves around an attempt to murder Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has raised concerns about potential links between Indian agents and the orchestrated crime.
Corroborating Trudeau's Claims:
Former National Security Advisor Richard Fadden and Ward Elcock, both with extensive experience in Canadian intelligence, emphasize the gravity of the situation. Fadden, in an interview with CBC News, stated that the indictment of Indian national Nikhil Gupta in a New York Federal court “gives weight” to Trudeau's initial claims. Elcock, echoing Fadden's sentiment, affirmed that Trudeau's announcement suggested strong intelligence, making the recent developments in the US a validation of those claims.
Details of the Indictment:
The indictment outlines Gupta's involvement, mentioning a “big target” in Canada and discussing “four jobs,” three of which were intended for execution within Canada. Gupta allegedly shared a video of the slain Nijjar with an individual he believed to be a hired hitman. However, the hitman turned out to be a US intelligence agent, leading to Gupta's arrest by Czech authorities under the US-Czech extradition treaty.
Challenges in Bringing the Case to Canada:
Despite the revelations in the US indictment, doubts persist about the feasibility of pursuing legal action in Canada. Fadden noted the potential difficulty in presenting a case in Canadian courts without the comprehensive information available in the US indictment. Elcock shared a similar view, expressing skepticism about the likelihood of prosecution in Canada due to the perpetrators likely being elusive.
Ongoing Collaborative Efforts:
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed ongoing collaboration between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and American law enforcement partners regarding Nijjar's murder. Despite challenges, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in British Columbia continues its inquiry into the case.
India's Response:
While India has initiated a high-level inquiry in response to the US case, there has been no action taken regarding Canada's demands. India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, emphasized the need for “specific and relevant” information from Canada and maintained that the alleged actions were not reflective of government policy.
The unfolding events surrounding the US indictment shed light on the complexities of an international investigation involving potential links between Indian agents and criminal activities on Canadian soil. As both countries navigate this intricate web of allegations, the pursuit of justice remains a challenging yet crucial endeavor.
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