Lawyers for an Algerian wanted by the United States for a plot to bomb Los Angeles airport asked a Canadian judge on Thursday keep a veil of secrecy over his extradition hearing. Neither a lawyer for Samir Ait Mohamed nor a Canadian prosecutor representing the U.S. government would explain why the request was made, and reporters were removed from the court in Vancouver for arguments over the request. “I can’t talk about it. This is a very unusual case,” said Mohamed’s attorney, Ian Donaldson, during a break at the British Columbia Supreme Court. Prosecutor Roger McMeans refused to say if Canada and the United States supported or opposed the request, as did an attorney representing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who was allowed to attend the arguments. The United States has accused Mohamed, an Algerian living illegally in Canada, with aiding a 1999 plot to bomb Los Angeles International Airport. The plan failed when Ahmed Ressam was arrested entering Washington state from Canada in an explosive-laden car. Full Story
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