By Gill Bikram Singh 
Hassan Diab’s Case Gains Renewed Attention
Hassan Diab, a Canadian professor convicted in absentia for a 1980 Paris synagogue bombing, is once again in the spotlight after prominent right-wing figures, including Elon Musk and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, criticized his presence in Canada. Diab, who has long maintained his innocence, fears shifting political dynamics could lead to another extradition attempt.
Background on the 1980 Paris Bombing
The attack, which killed four people and injured dozens, was the first deadly assault on French Jews since World War II. Investigators initially linked it to the PFLP-OS, a now-defunct militant group. Diab’s name surfaced in a 1999 Israeli intelligence report, and French authorities alleged he was the bomber, citing handwriting analysis and passport records. Diab, however, insists he was in Beirut taking university exams at the time and that his passport was stolen.
Legal Battle and Controversial Conviction
After years of legal proceedings, Diab was extradited from Canada to France in 2014 but was released in 2018 due to insufficient evidence. However, in 2023, a French court retried him in absentia, convicted him, and sentenced him to life in prison, despite the lack of new evidence and the dismissal of key forensic claims. France has since issued an arrest warrant for his extradition.
Political and Public Response
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously criticized the handling of Diab’s case, stating his extradition “should never have happened.” However, recent political pressure from right-wing voices and Jewish advocacy groups has reignited calls for action. Carleton University, where Diab worked as a part-time professor, faced backlash, with some demanding his termination.
Future Uncertainty
Diab, now 71, continues to live in fear of another extradition attempt, describing his situation as a “sword hanging over his head.” With Canada’s next election approaching, his fate may depend on the country’s shifting political landscape.