Canada
Native leader challenges hate crime conviction


David Ahenakew, the former chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and former chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was in court on Monday to challenge his conviction of a hate crime.

Ahenakew, 72, made anti-Semitic remarks to a member of the media. He apologized for his comments but was convicted of breaking Saskatchewan's hate crimes law.

Ahenakew is appealing the conviction. His lawyer said the initial conversation in which he praised Hitler for the Holocaust was never meant to be made public.

Get the Story:
Lawyer: Ahenakew conviction invites �tattletale state' (CP 4/4)
Ahenakew lawyer says controversial conversation was private (CBC 4/3)

Lower Court Decision:
The Queen v. Ahenakew (July 8, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Canadian Jewish Congress - http://www.cjc.ca

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