QUE. IMAM ALLEGEDLY SOLD FAKE DOCUMENTS

CITIZENSHIP PAPERS

MONTREAL •

A Montreal imam faces charges that he sold false documents used to help people obtain Canadian citizenship for their children.

Bilal Jundi, a 41-year-old religious leader, is alleged to have provided people in Middle Eastern countries with false report cards and school attendance certificates for their children of primary school age.

Such documents are often used to obtain Canadian citizenship or as proof of residence by people seeking permanent resident status in Canada.

Mr. Jundi, the principal of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, a private Muslim school in suburban St-Laurent, was investigated by the RCMP for nearly two years.

He is alleged to have provided 15 people with false documents between 1996 and 2004 and faces four charges accusing him of forgery and fraud.

Mr. Jundi, who was not arrested, is to appear in court Nov. 7.

“ The investigation was launched in 2003 when we received information from the [ Canadian Border Services Agency],” RCMP Cpl. Patrice Gelinas said.

“ This case is still ongoing and there may be additional charges sent to Crown counsel.”

Reached by phone at the school yesterday, Mr. Jundi said he “fully denies” the charges.

“ It was shocking,” he said of receiving the court summons.

The imam said he was unaware he had been investigated by the RCMP.

“ The truth will come out in court,” he said.