Among the pernicious human-rights abuses in the world, the confiscation of a former bin Laden colleague's Wii games (or those of his children) hardly seems worth a mention. But it did get a mention, in a Canadian court case at which Mohamed Zeki Mahjoub, a suspected terrorist from Egypt, asked to be returned to prison, saying the security restrictions placed on him are destroying his family life.
This is a man who once worked for Osama bin Laden's agricultural company, managing 4,000 employees and one million acres of land in Sudan. Guilt by association? Well, yes. That company was named in the United States indictment against Mr. bin Laden as a financial support for al-Qaeda and a cover for obtaining explosives, weapons and chemicals, and for the travel of terrorists. He also lived for a while with the late Ahmed Khadr's in-laws in Toronto. Mr. Khadr was a senior associate of Mr. bin Laden who was killed in a gun battle in Pakistan in 2003. Small world.
And here he was this week, in a Canadian courtroom, asking to be let back into prison. Did the Federal Court judge turn handsprings? Did he roll out a red carpet, offer to have the welcoming committee serve tea and cakes? No, he was reluctant to accede to Osama's former manager's wishes. Is there no other choice? Mr. Justice Simon Noel asked Mr. Mahjoub's lawyer. No, he was told. And some people say Canada is a dull country.
So it is back to Guantanamo North, as one advocacy group calls the jail Ottawa built for foreign terrorist suspects. As if a prisoner ever volunteered to return to the prison on the U.S. naval base in Cuba.
This is surely one of the strangest cases in the international terror file. First, this bin Laden associate obtains refugee status. (He neglected to mention the bin Laden connection.) Later, a judge declares him a threat to Canada's security, on the basis that he was probably a member of Islamist terror groups in Egypt. He is difficult to deport because of the possibility of torture in Egypt. During his 6 1/2 years in jail, he tries three times for release on bail. He also mounts hunger strikes over his treatment. Finally, Canada's courts lose the stomach to hold foreign terror suspects indefinitely, and he is released. Free at last.
But bail came with a set of conditions. He was essentially housebound - though he could go out with his wife or stepson, after seeking permission. He could be alone at home during the day - but not with his young children. He couldn't use the Internet (hence the confiscation of the Wii, which had an Internet connection). His mail was photocopied by the state.
When Mr. Justice Richard Mosley ordered Mr. Mahjoub released two years ago, he did not say he wasn't a risk to Canada's security. Far from it. He said the risk exists, but could be controlled by strict conditions amounting to house arrest. Apparently Mr. Mahjoub thought that meant complete freedom. Some people are hard to please.