The Copernic Affair | Canadaland Investigates: Episode 1 - The Attack

Release Date: January 22, 2025

Introduction

The Copernic Affair delves into a harrowing incident that shook the Jewish community in Paris in 1980 and the subsequent decades-long quest for justice. Hosted by Canadaland reporters Dana Ballout and Alex Atack, this episode examines the life-altering accusation against Hassan Diab, a Canadian sociology professor, who stands accused of orchestrating the bombing of the Copernic Synagogue in Paris. The investigation raises profound questions about justice, scapegoating, and the intricacies of international law enforcement.

The Tragic Night of October 3, 1980

Oren Chagrir's Story
At [03:00], Oren Chagrir introduces himself and shares the personal tragedy of losing his mother, Elisa Chagrir, in the Copernic Synagogue bombing. She was merely a tourist in Paris when the attack occurred.

Oren Chagrir [07:29]: "They woke me up very early in the morning of the day after. Yeah. And told me she was 42 when she was killed. She was beautiful, joyful, very opinionated..."

The Attack Unfolds
The bombing took place on a serene Friday evening, disrupting a Sabbath service at France's oldest Reformed synagogue. Initially a bustling community gathering, the atmosphere turned to chaos as a bomb detonated outside the synagogue's doors at approximately 6:30 PM, resulting in four fatalities, including Oren's mother.

Dana Balut [04:44]: "Pascal first thought that this was an earthquake, that it might be the end of the world..."

Immediate Aftermath and Initial Investigation

First Responders on the Scene
Journalist Annette Levy Willard recounts her first-hand experience arriving at the scene immediately after the attack.

Annette Levy Willard [06:14]: "It was a war zone. People running, people crying, blood all over corpses. It was for me, for the first time in my life, that I was facing dead people."

Shifting Focus: From Neo-Nazis to a Middle Eastern Suspect
Initially, the investigation pointed towards La Fan F.A.N.E., a small Neo-Nazi group previously reported by Annette. However, inconsistencies and the sophisticated nature of the attack led investigators to pivot towards a Middle Eastern suspect, Alexander Panadriou.

Annette Levy Willard [19:11]: "I said right away, it cannot be these guys. I mean, accounts, okay, they can do some damage somewhere, but they cannot organize such an attack..."

The Suspect’s Trail: Alexander Panadriou

Evidence Points Away from Neo-Nazis
Investigators discovered that the bomb was attached to a stolen motorcycle linked to Alexander Panadriou, a man with a forged Cypriot passport. Despite piecing together his identity through witness statements and surveillance, Panadriou evaded capture, and his forgery status led authorities to hit a dead end.

Dana Balut [26:13]: "This theory that had gripped the entire country, that the attack was an escalation from smaller neo Nazi activities... was probably wrong."

Decades of Obscurity and a Renewed Investigation

The Case Goes Cold
For nearly three decades, the Copernic bombing remained unsolved, leaving victims and the Jewish community grappling with unanswered questions.

Resurgence of the Investigation
In 2007, Judge Marc Trevidic revitalized the investigation, determined to uncover the truth. His relentless pursuit eventually led French investigators to Hassan Diab, a respected sociology professor in Ottawa, Canada.

Judge Marc Trevidic [27:06]: "We never abandoned a case. We never stop."

Accusation Against Hassan Diab

A Quiet Life Disrupted
Hassan Diab, leading a serene academic life, found himself thrust into the spotlight as the prime suspect. His arrest ignited controversy and disbelief among those who knew him as a family man and esteemed professor.

Dana Balut [09:29]: "What we found the whole time we've been working on this story is that it's felt like we're actually working on two different stories in parallel."

Contrasting Narratives: France vs. Canada
The French authorities maintain their stance on Diab's guilt, while the Canadian perspective champions his innocence, painting him as a scapegoat caught in the crossfire of international tensions.

Dana Balut [11:12]: "It's a legal battle that has reached the highest courts in both countries. There's such strong evidence of his innocence."

Dana Balut [27:37]: "Eventually, the news cycle moved on and the Copernic case slipped quietly onto the back burner."

Impact and Ongoing Questions

Community and Personal Repercussions
For victims like Oren Chagrir, the accusation against Diab not only questions his innocence but also underscores the emotional and social toll on families seeking closure.

Oren Chagrir [28:52]: "Yeah, I mean, it was really astonishing in a way. We were also happy that they tracked down the guy who actually planted the bomb."

Moral Dilemma: Justice vs. Injustice
The episode deeply explores whether pursuing Diab's conviction, if unjust, constitutes an overarching injustice, highlighting the ethical complexities in international criminal investigations.

Dana Balut [29:11]: "The same day he was arrested, an FBI agent knocked at my door here in California."

Conclusion

The Copernic Affair Episode 1 lays the foundation for an intricate exploration of a cold case intertwined with international relations, media narratives, and personal tragedies. As Dana Ballout and Alex Atack unravel the layers of this decades-old mystery, listeners are left contemplating the fine line between justice and injustice, and the human cost of unresolved investigations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Oren Chagrir [07:29]: "They woke me up very early in the morning of the day after. Yeah. And told me she was 42 when she was killed..."

• Annette Levy Willard [06:14]: "It was a war zone. People running, people crying, blood all over corpses..."

• Annette Levy Willard [19:11]: "I said right away, it cannot be these guys..."

• Judge Marc Trevidic [27:06]: "We never abandoned a case. We never stop."

• Dana Balut [11:12]: "It's a legal battle that has reached the highest courts in both countries..."

• Oren Chagrir [28:52]: "Yeah, I mean, it was really astonishing in a way..."

The Copernic Affair promises a comprehensive investigation into an unresolved act of terrorism, scrutinizing the evidence, motivations, and the profound implications of wrongfully accusing an innocent individual. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes as Canadaland continues to uncover the truth behind this enigmatic case.