Abdulkareem Khadr
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Abdulkareem Khadr (b. March 29, 1989) is the fifth child in the Canadian Khadr family, and was left paraplegic after a shoot-out with Pakistani security forces that left his father Ahmed Said Khadr dead in 2003.
In approximately 1999, while staying with the family of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kandahar, the ten-year old Abdulkareem begged the al-Qaeda leader to let him hold his gun after he returned home one night. al-Zawahiri relented, and let him inspect the weapon.[1]
[edit] The firefight
On October 2 2003, Pakistani AH-1 Cobra gunships[2] and security forces attacked the house where Abdulkareem was staying with his father and seven others.[3] Pakistan has stated that Abdulkareem was among the combatants.[4] He was paralysed after a bullet damaged his spinal cord, while another lodged in his arm.[2][3]
On April 9, 2004, Khadr and his mother returned to Canada, flying from Islamabad, Pakistan, to Toronto. As he was wheeled through the airport, Khadr was asked by reporters what he thought of his return; he merely flashed a peace sign and smiled.
[edit] Medical care
In January, Pakistan stated that Abdulkareem had expressed a desire to go home to Canada, and stated that they had no objections to the move.[4]
Canadian officials stated in February 2004 that they would not help offset the medical costs for Abdulkareem to travel home, which was estimated at $30,000,[3] although they would grant him a passport.[4] They also suggested that he may not be eligible for OHIP medical coverage, having lived outside of Canada for so long,[3] but three months after returning to Canada he was legally eligible for care.[5] Dr. Marty McKay, a private doctor who had never met the family, registered a three-page complaint a week later with the Children's Aid Society, alleging child abuse and possible brainwashing of Abdulkareem based on what she'd read in the media.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Wright, Lawrence, "The Looming Tower", 2006
- ^ a b Friscolanti, Michael. Macleans, "The house of Khadr, August 4 2006
- ^ a b c d Thorne, Stephen. Canadian Press , "No help for 14-year-old son of Canadian al-Qaeda suspect paralysed in firefight"
- ^ a b c Thorne, Stephen. Canadian Press, "Pakistan to release wounded Cdn", January 26 3004
- ^ Lunman, Kim and Colin Freeze. Globe and Mail, Khadrs' citizenship safe, PM says, April 16 2004
- ^ CBC, Doctor wants Khadrs investigated on suspicion of child abuse, April 20 2004
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