(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Canadians are dissatisfied with the handling of the Maher Arar case, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 75 per cent of respondents disagree with the decision by U.S. authorities to deport Arar --a Canadian citizen-- to Syria.

American immigration agents detained Arar in September 2002, under allegations that he had links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network. He was deported to Syria --where he was born-- despite the fact that he carried a Canadian passport.

In October 2003, Arar returned to Canada after spending more than a year in a Syrian prison. He claims to have been tortured, and has launched legal action against the American government, seeking an admission of wrongdoing as well as financial compensation.

Canadian public safety minister Anne McLellan announced an official inquiry into the Arar case on Jan. 28.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with the decision by U.S. authorities to deport Maher Arar to Syria --where he was born-- and not Canada?

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