Saudi 'Tiger Squad' Lawsuit
Date: August 7, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: CBSA
Issue: Media outlets are reporting on a lawsuit on the Saudi “Tiger Squad” — part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s personal mercenary group — tried to enter Canada on tourist visas in October 2018 to kill Saad Aljabri. But having lied about not knowing one another, and then when border guards found photos of them together, they were denied entry to Canada.
Proposed Response:
- While the Government of Canada cannot comment on specific allegations currently before the courts, we are aware of incidents in which foreign actors have attempted to monitor, intimidate or threaten Canadians and those living in Canada.
- It is completely unacceptable and the Government of Canada will never tolerate foreign actors threatening Canada’s national security or the safety of our citizens and residents.
- Canadians can be confident that our security agencies have the skills and resources necessary to detect, investigate and respond to such threats.
- The Government of Canada will always take the necessary action to keep Canadians and those on Canadian soil safe and we invite people to report any such threats to law enforcement authorities.
- The Government of Canada continues to condemn the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and support the investigation into this killing. Those responsible must be held to account and that is why we have sanctioned 17 Saudi nationals linked to this murder. We continue to call for a credible and independent international investigation.
Background:
Media articles are reporting on a lawsuit filed in the United States. It details how a Saudi dissident and former spymaster, exiled in Canada, was hunted by a squad of assassins from his homeland, less than two weeks after a Saudi team murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Since 2017, Aljabri has been living in Canada after fleeing Saudi Arabia following a tumultuous coup over the Saudi throne. The lawsuit also says that Aljabri is now a permanent resident in Canada.
According to the lawsuit, the “Tiger Squad”, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s personal mercenary group, attempted to enter Canada on tourist visas in October 2018 to kill Saad Aljabri. The group of men reportedly lied about not knowing one another. However, when the CBSA border guards found photos of them together, they were denied entry to Canada.
Contacts:
Approved by: Talal Dakalbab, A/Vice President, Strategic Policy Branch, 613-946-3183
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