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Maher Arar
Rendition Victim
Canadian citizen kidnapped by U.S. and rendered to Syria for torture
Overview
Maher Arar is a Canadian citizen who was seized by U.S. authorities at JFK Airport in 2002 and "rendered "to Syria, where he was imprisoned and tortured for a year based on false intelligence. He was completely innocent. Canada apologized and paid him $10.5 million; the U.S. has never apologized or compensated him.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Canadian citizen seized by U.S. at JFK Airport and rendered to Syria where he was tortured for nearly a year
Canada awarded Arar $10.5 million settlement and formal apology; the U.S. has never apologized
His case became a landmark example of post-9/11 extraordinary rendition abuses
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
George W. Bush
President during extraordinary rendition program that sent Arar to Syria for torture
John Ashcroft
Attorney General who oversaw DOJ during Arar's rendition and deportation to Syria
Condoleezza Rice
National Security Advisor involved in post-9/11 rendition policies that led to Arar's torture
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- 1970
- Birthplace
- Syria
Education
- •McGill University, Engineering
Key Timeline
1970
Born in Syria
1987
Moves to Canada
September 26, 2002
Detained at JFK Airport during layover
October 8, 2002
Rendered to Syria
October 2002, October 2003
Imprisoned and tortured in Syria
October 5, 2003
Released to Canada
2006
Canadian inquiry clears him, finds RCMP at fault
2007
Canada pays $10.5 million settlement and apologizes