The arrest was not in Somalia but Ottawa, after a man police described as a major figure in the kidnapping travelled right to the city in which the police agency tracking him is headquartered.
By Tom Spears
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Ali Omar Ader is shown in court in an artist’s sketch - Greg Banning / The Canadian Press
The long RCMP investigation into the kidnapping of Canadian freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout in Somalia involved undercover operations, wiretaps and other surveillance – much of it in the Horn of Africa nation where the 2008 kidnapping took place.
But the first arrest, when it came, was not in Somalia but in Ottawa, after a man police described as a major figure in the kidnapping travelled right to the city in which the police agency tracking him is headquartered.
The RCMP announced the arrest of Ali Omar Ader Friday morning. Assistant commissioner James Malizia described Ader as “one of the main negotiators” for the Islamist group that seized Lindhout and Australian colleague Nigel Brennan in August of 2008.
Ader came to Canada a few days ago – the Mounties won’t say how or why – and was arrested Thursday. A source said he was picked up at the Ottawa International Airport.
Ader made a very brief appearance by video from the courthouse cellblock on Friday morning. He will be back in court next Friday.
His lawyer, Samir Adam, said it’s too early to comment on the nature of the charges. He wouldn’t say whether his client is married or has children, or whether he has a job.
The information filed in court alleges Ader, who turns 38 next month, detained Lindhout to “induce a member or members of her family to pay or cause to pay a ransom.” It lists Ader’s home as Mogadishu, Somalia.
Lindhout and Brennan were released in November 2009, after their families paid ransom.
On Friday, Lindhout’s 34th birthday, Malizia said the RCMP has been working on a criminal investigation since she was kidnapped, and has carried the investigation to Somalia.
“This investigation posed a number of significant challenges as it was carried out in an extremely high-risk environment in a country plagued with political instability,” he said.
“It required the deployment of a number of investigative techniques over a long period of time,” Malizia said. “In addition, the accused was in Somalia, which made the collection of evidence more challenging.”
Asked whether Somali government officials knew the RCMP was at work in their country, he said: “I won’t comment around any of the specifics of who knew what.”
Malizia confirmed that the RCMP used undercover operations, surveillance and wiretaps, but said other details of the investigation “will only be disclosed during judicial proceedings.”
The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team led the investigation.
The assistant commissioner praised the “relentless efforts” of investigators, and also praised Lindhout personally.
In an investigation, he said, “victims and witnesses must re-live events that they should not have had to endure in the first place.
“I have personally been in touch with Miss Lindhout to provide her with these latest developments,” he said, “and I continue to admire her resilient spirit after having gone through such an ordeal.”
Lindhout suffered 15 harrowing months as a captive of Somali militants. Her best-selling memoir, A House in the Sky, gave a vivid account of the physical and sexual violence she endured.
Malizia several times refused to go into detail about of the seven-year investigation, saying that “our ability to get successful outcomes like this depends upon a certain level of discretion.”
In a statement, Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney praised the work of the RCMP and its INSET branch.
“Any criminal who harms a Canadian anywhere in the world can be assured that Canada will hunt them down and make sure that they face the full force of the law,” Blaney said.
Lindhout did not publicly address news of the arrest Friday, but friends welcomed the announcement.
“I had goosebumps when I heard the news this morning,” said Glori Meldrum, founder of the national child sexual abuse awareness and prevention organization Little Warriors. “I pray there is justice for what was done to Amanda and some closure for her.”
Meldrum met Lindhout two years ago when she spoke at one of the organization’s luncheons. The two became close friends.
“Amanda is one of my heroes,” Meldrum said. “She is one of the bravest people I know.”
Lindhout’s Facebook wall was flooded with birthday wishes, with some posts citing the arrest as the ultimate gift.
“Happiest of birthdays to you on this amazing day,” reads one. “(S)tars have aligned once again for you to allow the best gift to date.”
Lindhout spent much of this week on a speaking and book-signing circuit, appearing at a Humboldt, Sask., community gala Wednesday night. Her work as founder and president of the Global Enrichment Foundation based in her hometown of Canmore, Alta., helps to support Somali women living in Somalia and Kenya.
Lindhout’s fellow hostage, Nigel Brennan, sent out a Twitter message Friday lauding the “incredible work” of the Canadian government, RCMP and others that led to the arrest.