OTTAWA - A lawyer for Mohamed Harkat says authorities seized confidential legal documents during a six-hour raid on the terror suspect's home.
About a dozen border agents and police, accompanied by three sniffer dogs, searched Harkat's Ottawa house Tuesday, said Matt Webber.
Webber said the agents carted away legal papers, family photo albums, and a personal computer and notebooks belonging to Harkat's wife, Sophie.
"As far as I'm concerned the search was excessive, unlawful and abusive," Webber said. "I've raised formal objections, absolutely."
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service contends Harkat, a refugee from Algeria, is an Islamic extremist and member of Osama bin Laden's terrorist network.
The former pizza delivery man and gas station attendant denies any involvement with terrorism. He wears an ankle bracelet that allows officials to track his movements electronically, and is subject to strict bail conditions amounting to house arrest.
Authorities have a right to enter the home to ensure Harkat is complying with the court-imposed bail conditions. But Webber said agents "went well beyond" the scope of what they're entitled to do.
"They know full well that taking dogs into a Muslim household is a sensitive issue."
Added Norm Boxall, co-counsel for Harkat: "We haven't been given any explanation, and absent an explanation it seems arbitrary. We look forward to receiving an explanation."
Ottawa police confirmed the search took place but would not elaborate. Canada Border Services Agency officials had no immediate comment.
Harkat was arrested in December 2002 and faces deportation under a national security certificate.
Webber said the timing of the raid "couldn't be worse" given that Federal Court hearings on the certificate's validity are slated for early next month.
"They seized Ms. Harkat's computer. There's a lot of material on there that's undoubtedly solicitor-client privilege."
Among the documents apparently taken was a letter from Boxall to an expert witness, Webber said.
"It's impossible to fathom how that seizure could help establish whether or not Mr. Harkat was breaching any condition of his bail."
The objections will likely be aired during a teleconference with Federal Court Justice Simon Noel scheduled for Thursday.
Webber said the Harkats were "calm and composed" during the raid but "feel completely violated."
