Saudi diplomat flees Ottawa assault charge
Last Updated: Monday, August 17, 2009 | 4:13 PM ET
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
A diplomat facing criminal charges following a head-on collision between an SUV and an Ottawa police cruiser in June has fled the country.
Marwan Al Harbi, 30, who worked for Saudi Arabia's embassy in Ottawa, was scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon on charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, flight while pursued causing bodily harm, and assault with a weapon causing bodily harm.
However, he boarded a plane and left Canada, Ottawa police Const. J.P. Vincelette confirmed Monday. Police aren't sure exactly when he fled. They have issued a warrant for his arrest.
Vincelette said Foreign Affairs Canada has revoked Al Harbi's diplomatic status, so he could be arrested if he ever enters Canada again.
Al Harbi was charged after he allegedly led police on a chase down Bank Street around 12:45 a.m. on June 2, after police received a call about an SUV being driven erratically.
The SUV collided head-on with a police cruiser at Heron Road. A police officer received minor injuries in the collision.
Share Tools
Latest Ottawa News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- Organ donation advocate Hèlène Campbell of Ottawa made her second appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, but her first since undergoing a double-lung transplant. more »
- Canadian woman continues tweeting her way to the top of Everest
- Sandra Leduc is taking a second run at Mount Everest's summit after a deadly storm forced her back down the mountain and killed four others on Sunday. The Canadian lawyer and government worker is tweeting her progress along the way. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- Birds attack Ottawa joggers
- Woman pinned between forklifts in Ottawa warehouse
- Pants-pulling case draws 24 more charges
- Ottawa race weekend road closures
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Victim named in Queensway rollover crash
