DISSIDENT REMAINS IN CANADIAN PRISON

 

Appeals court says Zündel
entitled to challenge deportation

 

NSNS  Thursday, August 12, 2004

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Ernst Zündel, the famous historical revisionist dissenter, is entitled to a hearing to challenge his deportation to Canada, a federal appeals court has ruled.

In a seven-page document, Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court declared that the controversial dissident had a right to habeas corpus. Citing numerous irregularities in Zündel's deportation, he sent the case back to the Knoxville district court for follow-up action.

Zundel, 65, has been held in solitary confinement in a Toronto prison cell under the most appalling conditions—in flagrant violation of fundamental human rights—since early last year, despite his poor health. Officials have declared their non-violent prisoner a "security threat" and are attempting to deport him to his native Germany.

A graphic artist and publisher, Zündel stirred controversy in the 1980s when he was accused of spreading "false news" by challenging the "Holocaust" myth with such brochures as  Auschwitz: Truth or Lie? and  Did Six Million Really Die?* In the ensuing trial, expert witnesses such as Robert Faurisson, Fred Leuchtner, Thies Christophersen and David Irving gave testimony which thoroughly discredited the fictitious "gas chamber" allegations against Zündel.

After World War II, Zündel migrated to Canada. In 2000, he sought asylum in the United States, where he married Ingrid Rimland, a naturalized citizen from the former Soviet Union. The couple moved to Sevier County, Tennessee, where Zündel set up an art gallery and continued his efforts on behalf of historical truth.

In February 2003, U.S. immigration agents arrested Zündel on the pretext of overstaying his visa, despite the fact that the government had failed to notify him of a sceduled hearing for permanent residence status. U.S. District Judge James Jarvis refused to hear a petition then to stop his deportation.

The Justice Department contends that since Zündel has already been deported, his appeal is moot. But the appeals court said that was a matter for the district court in Knoxville to decide.

Zündel's wife said she hopes her husband will be able to "expose the depth of deceit and political interference of this deportation, that was, in fact, a well-co-ordinated political kidnapping."

Zündel faces "hate crimes" charges in Germany for his writings.

 

*Auschwitz: Truth or Lie and  Six Million Lost and Found (the revised title for  Did Six Million Really Die?* are available for $4 and $5, respectively, plus $4 postage & handling on all orders, regardless of size from:

NS Publications PO Box 188 Wayndotte MI 48192.