Canada hunts for 30 “war criminals” hiding in the country
A border patrol agent walks on the Canadian/United States border. Thirty fugitives wanted for war crimes or crimes against humanity are believed to be hiding in Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government has said, and Canada’s Border Services Agency is appealing for the public’s help to find them.
TORONTO, Canada — Canada says it is seeking "war criminals" believed to be hiding in the country.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has announced that 30 fugitives wanted for war crimes or crimes against humanity are thought to be hiding in Canada. The Canadian Border Services Agency has asked for the public's help in tracking them down, appealing to anyone with information to call a hotline.
The border agency's website lists names and photos of the suspected war criminals, who are said to be from Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and the former Yugoslavia, the BBC reports.
Most of the suspects were last seen in the Toronto area, and all already have outstanding deportation orders against them. However, the website did not list specific charges against the individual suspects.
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the fugitives should be located and removed from Canada.
"We all have a part to play in making our communities safe, and today we are asking for Canadians' assistance," Toews said.
The publication of the list comes a day after Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that Canada plans to revoke the Canadian citizenship of 1,800 people suspected of obtaining their status "through fraudulent means,” the Canadian Television Network reports.
Kenney said this includes the use of “crooked” citizenship consultants to create fake documents proving residency in Canada.
Since 1867, Canada has revoked the citizenship status of only 66 people, CTV says.
(More from GlobalPost: China's most-wanted fugitive loses fight to stay in Canada)
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, this is the best time to do it. Your support will get our fundraiser off to a solid start and help keep our newsroom on strong footing. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!