Refugee convicted of sexual offences remains in deportation limbo

CTV Calgary: Deportation document dilemma A convicted pedophile could be released due to an immigration technicality. Amanda Singroy reports.

An Iraqi refugee who repeatedly molested a young boy in Canada over a two year span has served his sentence for the crime but remains in the custody of the Canada Border Services Agency.

Immigration officials have attempted to deport Khatab Ismail but Ismail fears a return to his homeland would put his life in jeopardy. Iraq does not want him returned and is refusing to issue travel documents.

If Ismail does not voluntarily agree to be deported, immigration officials may decide to release him into Canadian society next month.

Representatives with the Calgary Police Service say they are extremely concerned by the possibility Khatab Ismail, a man who has been deemed an untreated sex offender and a danger to the public if released.

“Our role as the police is to protect society,” said the Calgary Police Service’s Kevin Brookwell. “We’ll do our part to monitor this individual as best we can.”

Ismail’s brother says Khatab no longer poses a risk to the public and should be released into the custody of family to escort him back to his homeland on their own terms.

“He was a danger, he was seven years ago,” explains Salam Ismail, Khatab’s brother. “People can be changed any minute, can be changed anytime.”

Despite the fact Khatab’s offences occurred in Canada, his family believes vigilantes in Iraq may attempt to punish the convict for his prior actions, especially if he is returned to the Middle East accompanied by security, a red flag to possible attackers.

“If he goes back it's going to be horrible,” said Salam. “They're going to kill him because this case is not good in Iraq. It’s very bad.”

According to Salam, his brother would rather stay incarcerated in Canada for an additional ten years then head back to Iraq as a free man.

Officials with the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) are hoping a visit to Canada by an Iraqi embassy official next week will offer a resolution to the problem.

Ismail continues to bide his time in the custody of immigration awaiting a decision on his future. The next review of Ismail’s deportation case is scheduled for December 20, 2013.