The next step in [i]Canadian Justice!
Khadr wants to attend local university
By RICHARD LIEBRECHT, EDMONTON SUN
Last Updated: October 28, 2010 9:15pm
Omar Khadr could land at the university of his wishes in Edmonton despite his high-profile criminal record, says a school official.
“Let me put it in this context: If Omar Khadr applied to the U of A, could any other school say no to him?” said Ken Schwanke, director of marketing and public relations at Edmonton’s Kings University College.
Khadr specifically pointed to the school after apologizing to his victim’s family Thursday in court. He aims to apply to Kings and eventually become a doctor, he said.
“I know what pain means. I’d really love to relieve a person who is suffering from such pain,” he said. “I want to have the chance to have true relationships, an experience I’ve never had in my life.”
On Monday, Khadr plead guilty to his war crimes of murder, attempted murder, supporting terrorism, conspiracy and spying in exchange for a reported eight-year sentence, with the last seven of which to be served in Canada.
Students at Kings have publicly protested Khadr’s detention and treatment. Khadr was locked away at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in October 2002, when he was 15. He has admitted to throwing a grenade that killed a U.S. soldier in an Afghan battle.
“Obviously being connected with someone like Omar Khadr has some downsides. People feel very strongly for or against him in general. If someone’s opposed to it, they’re not likely to support us as an institution, but it’s something that our students are supporting,” said Schwanke.
richard.liebrecht@sunmedia.ca- with files from the Toronto Sun