Somali found guilty in kidnapping of Amanda Lindhout
OTTAWA — Ali Omar Ader has been found guilty in the kidnapping of Amanda Lindhout in Somalia.
The verdict was handed down in a packed courtroom Wednesday by Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Smith, who presided over Ader’s 10-day trial.
Smith said Ader, a 40-year-old Somali, was a “willing participant” in the hostage-taking of Lindhout, who was working as a freelance journalist when seized near Mogadishu nine years ago.
Smith found much of Ader’s testimony was unbelievable and did not support his claim that he was forced into serving as a negotiator and translator on behalf of a gang who threatened to harm him and his family.
Ader betrayed little emotion after the verdict was announced. He faces up to life in prison and will be sentenced next year.
Lindhout, raised in Red Deer, Alta., and photographer Nigel Brennan of Australia were snatched by armed men in August 2008 while pursuing a story, the beginning of 15 months in captivity. They were released upon payment of a ransom.
Ader then developed a business relationship through phone calls and emails with a man who promised to help publish his book about Somalia.
They met face-to-face in 2013 on the island of Mauritius, where the business agent — actually an undercover Mountie — said Ader freely spoke of helping the hostage-takers in return for $10,000 US in ransom money.
A book contract signing came two years later in Ottawa with the officer and a supposed publisher, all secretly captured on a police video. Again, Ader told the RCMP he was paid to assist the kidnappers. He was arrested the next day.