Concordia bomb threat suspect ‘fears reprisals’
Judge grants Saadi bail; residence included under publication ban
Hisham Saadi, the man charged with making bomb threats that caused Concordia University to evacuate three of its buildings in March, fears for his safety, says his lawyer.
During a brief hearing at the Montreal courthouse on Thursday, Saadi asked that the address where he will reside in the near future be kept under a publication ban.
Quebec Court Judge Nathalie Fafard agreed to the request, because she considered it as being part of the publication ban she placed on evidence presented during Saadi’s bail hearing in March.
Fafard granted Saadi bail and imposed a series of conditions he had to follow. The residence where Saadi will reside is part of the conditions.
“It’s for his security,” said defence lawyer Caroline Braun while requesting the publication ban.
She noted that Saadi’s case has been widely reported on and photos of him have been published. “He fears reprisals.”
The 47-year-old appeared nervous during the hearing, but was more relaxed as he spoke with a Montreal Gazette reporter later while making a polite request that the publication ban be respected.
On March 1, Concordia University was forced to evacuate the three buildings after several media outlets received a letter threatening that explosives would be detonated at two of the school’s downtown buildings.
Saadi faces three charges, including one that alleges he “committed acts that, considering the context, were susceptible to causing fear that terrorist acts were about to be committed.”
Another charge alleges he threatened to kill or cause harm to people at Concordia.
The third charge alleges Saadi committed mischief by preventing students and staff at the university from going about their daily lives.
The case returns to court in June.