By Tiffany Goodwein

Court decision, lack of public information concerning for Enderby residents

Sep 6, 2019 | 6:20 PM

A Sept. 3 court decision granting the release of a man who allegedly expressed support for the terror group ISIS has sent shock and concern for residents in Enderby.

A federal judge ordered Othman Hamdan’s release into the community along with 25 conditions including that he lives with the bondsperson, abides by a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew, and does not possess or drive a vehicle.

But despite the conditions and being found not guilty by a judge in 2017, residents still feel uneasy about Hamdan’s release.

“I don’t know what he looks like, he could have passed me four or five times today, but I wouldn’t know,” said Sheila, an Enderby resident for 12 years.

“I wish they would release more information, more pictures, I ‘d like to ask why the delay in deporting him, why not just deport him?” she added.

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Enderby Mayor Greg McCune told Vernon Matters that he also does not know what Hamdan looks like and the lack of information about Hamdan’s release has only heightened concerns in the community.

He argues that more consultation was needed between Enderby and the Federal Immigration Division. The city, according to McCune first heard about Hamdan’s possible release through the media and not federal officials.

(Tiffany Goodwein/Vernon Matters Staff)

“Whenever we do something, whether it is a rezoning or whatever, we are forced to consult our community and the public, yet it seems with federal they don’t,” McCune said.

He has since called on the federal Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship to issue reforms following the Sept. 3 court ruling.

“I respect due process, but when a person who is being detained for safety reasons until they are deported is released on weak conditions and inadequate notification, our priorities need to be evaluated. Our first priority should be public safety,” said McCune in a Sept. 6 press release statement.

‘We have to respect the rules and obey the rules’

At the Enderby Farmer’s Market, Juan Farrigno an immigrant from Guatemala 32 years ago, said he is not scared about Hamdan’s release, but believes the judge made the wrong decision.

“I think what he did, it’s wrong. For me, as an immigrant, it seems that he doesn’t appreciate the opportunity they gave to him,” he said.

“For me, it’s the last country with peace in the world. We have to respect the rules and obey the rules.”

The local RCMP detachment will be tasked with ensuring Hamdan is abiding by the conditions set forth by the judge.

Hamdan is also required to notify the Canada Border Services Agency every weekday following his release, and is prohibited from using social media or having access to devices that are connected to the internet.

“I’m 100 per cent confident the RCMP will keep us all safe and keep it under control, but again the unknown is the biggest thing for Enderby,” McCune said.

The federal court decision on Othman Hamdan and his list of conditions can be found here.

by Tiffany Goodwein

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