March 25, 2008
No. 62
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, today welcomed the announcement that Mr. Saul Itzhayek will soon be released from prison in India, where he was incarcerated for more than 10 months.
"Canada and India have a strong, long-standing relationship with a history of mutual values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law," said Minister Bernier. "We are pleased that justice has prevailed in India, and that Mr. Itzahayek is free to return to Canada."
Since Mr. Itzhayek's arrest, consular officials in Ottawa, New Delhi and Kathmandu have been actively working on his case, engaging Indian officials at all levels.
"I am proud of the hard work of our consular officials, who succeeded in expediting Mr. Itzhayek's release," said Secretary of State Guergis. "Our officials will be escorting Mr. Itzhayek to ensure his smooth return to Canada, where he will be reunited with his family."
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