Ottawa appeals court ruling directing government to help repatriate four men in Syria

(Canadian Press) The federal government is appealing a judge’s declaration that four Canadian men being held in Syrian camps are entitled to Ottawa’s help to return home.

In a filing Friday in the Federal Court of Appeal, the government asks that a ruling last month by Federal Court Justice Henry Brown be set aside — and be placed on hold while the appeal plays out.

In his ruling, Brown directed Ottawa to request repatriation of the men as soon as reasonably possible and provide them with passports or emergency travel documents.

Brown said the men are also entitled to have a representative of the federal government travel to Syria to help facilitate their release once their captors agree to hand them over.

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