Activists have hailed as "historic" a Canadian court’s decision to force the government to repatriate four men held in north-east Syria since the fall of ISIS in 2019.
“It’s really important,” said Matthew Behrens, who runs Stop Canadian Involvement in Torture, which advocates for Canadians detained abroad.
“It's the very first time any country has been forced to return not only the women and the kids, but also the men from north-east Syria.”
For years, the Canadian government resisted calls from activists and family members to repatriate its citizens from Syrian detention camps and prisons.
But after years of dragging its feet and resisting legal challenges, the government announced last week that it would repatriate 19 citizens from northern Syria, where they have been held in overcrowded and often dangerous detention camps.
On Friday, the day after Global Affairs Canada revealed it would be repatriating the 19 citizens, the federal court ruled that the government must also repatriate four men believed to be in the custody of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
It was not immediately clear if any of the men would face criminal prosecution on their return to Canada.
In October, authorities arrested two Canadian women as they returned home from a camp for family members of ISIS fighters in north-east Syria.
In his ruling, Justice Henry Brown acknowledged the poor conditions in which the men were being held and the fact that they had not been charged with a crime.
“The conditions of the … men are even more dire than those of the women and children who Canada has just agreed to repatriate,” Justice Brown said in his ruling.
“The Canadian men are imprisoned against their will without charge or trial."
Lawyers representing the detained Canadians welcomed the court's decision.
“This is wonderful, wonderful news,” said Lawrence Greenspon, who represents three of the men, who have not been publicly identified, and all of the women and children.
“This is what we have been fighting for for the last three and a half years and it's everything that we'd hoped for.”
The fourth man is Jack Letts, a British-born Muslim convert who travelled to Syria in 2014 when he was 18 and allegedly joined ISIS.
“This case is a really important one,” lawyer Barbara Jackman, who represents Mr Letts, told The National.
“They’re not in a position, the woman and children or the men, to help themselves.
"So if the government doesn't step in and say this has to stop because they’re being mistreated, they’re not going to have anyone to be on their side."
Called "Jihadi Jack" by the British press, Mr Letts was captured by western-backed Kurdish forces in 2017.
He held dual British and Canadian citizenship until the UK stripped him of his British passport in 2019, causing a dispute between the two allies, with Ottawa accusing London of shirking its responsibilities.
His parents Sally Lane and John Letts have been pressing Ottawa to bring him home for years.
Mr Letts's exact whereabouts and condition remain unknown. His last communication with his mother was a letter delivered to her by the Red Cross in September 2021.
In it, he implored her to “never give up”, a message she took to heart, Mr Behrens, a family friend, told The National.
“It's our hope that everyone is hanging in there and is fit enough to be able to make the journey home," Mr Behrens said.
While the court did not specify a time frame for the government to repatriate the men and women, he said there was no reason it could not be done within the next month.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
More on Quran memorisation:
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
