Sexual Violence Offender Extradited from Italy

A convicted sexual violence offender has been extradited from Italy to Canada, thanks to international co-operation and the relentless efforts of all involved.

Bassam Al-Rawi returned to Canadian soil on Thursday, September 5, after being extradited from Italy to serve the remainder of his sentence for his 2020 sexual assault conviction.

“The successful extradition of Bassam Al-Rawi in less than one year is a remarkable achievement,” said Jennifer MacLellan, KC, executive leadership team member with the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service. “I want to thank our dedicated team at the PPS, along with our partners, including the Halifax Regional Police, the International Assistance Group and Correctional Services Canada.”

Mr. Al-Rawl, who fled Canada in 2022, was taken into custody in Italy on September 8, 2023. Following an unsuccessful appeal against his extradition, the Italian Court of Appeal ordered that he be sent back to Canada to complete his sentence for sexual assault.

The extradition process, which typically spans several years, was expedited in this case through the collaborative efforts of multiple international agencies.

In 2022, Mr. Al-Rawi was released on bail while seeking leave to appeal his sexual assault conviction with the Supreme Court of Canada. His release order included strict conditions, which required him to reside in Ottawa with his surety. However, in May 2022, authorities were made aware that Mr. Al-Rawi had breached his conditions and travelled to Montreal. He met his wife and one-year-old son and fled to Iraq.

Quotes:

“This case serves as a reminder that Nova Scotia will not tolerate attempts to evade justice and will pursue fugitives to ensure they are held accountable for their actions.”
— Rick Woodburn, KC, acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service

Quick Facts:

• extradition from another country to Canada is possible only if the offence is considered a crime in both countries