Summary of "The Copernic Affair | Canadaland Investigates"
Episode: Episode 2: The Investigation
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Host/Authors: Dana Balut and Alex Atak
Produced by: Canadaland in partnership with House of Many Windows
Introduction
In Episode 2 of "The Copernic Affair," titled "The Investigation," Canadaland delves deeper into the enigmatic case surrounding Hassan Diab, a sociology professor in Canada accused of orchestrating a 1980 bomb attack on a synagogue in Paris. Hosts Dana Balut and Alex Atak guide listeners through the intricate web of evidence, investigative leads, and personal testimonies that shape this compelling narrative.
Background of the Copernic Bombing
On October 3, 1980, a devastating bomb detonation occurred outside a synagogue on Copernic Street in Paris. The explosion resulted in the tragic loss of four lives and left dozens injured. Initial police investigations were hampered by limited evidence, leading authorities to pursue leads that shifted focus towards Middle Eastern groups, diverging from earlier theories focusing on far-right factions.
Community Impact
The synagogue community struggled to regain a sense of normalcy amid heightened security and pervasive fear. Pascal, a young member of the congregation, vividly recounts the long-term psychological toll:
Pascal (Mark Trevedik): "I was young, but many people have died. My father died 10 years ago already. So ultimately, for them, all of this remained unpunished, and they didn't get any reparation for their trauma."
(07:11)
Revival of the Investigation
Nearly 30 years after the bombing, in 2007, a new investigative judge, Mark Trevedik, took up the case. Known for his persistence and innovative approaches, Trevedik sought to uncover new evidence that had long been overlooked.
Initial Discoveries
Trevedik discovered an intelligence report from the early 1980s attributed the attack to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – Special Operations (PFLP-OS), an offshoot of the PFLP. To provide context, historian Saverio Leopardi explains:
Saverio Leopardi: "The PFLP became renowned internationally because of this spectacular tactic of hijacking planes... Any action is justifiable if in their eyes, it advances the cause of Palestinian nationalism."
(12:03)
This revelation pointed investigators towards Hassan Diab, whose identity surfaced in a 1999 intelligence report listing potential suspects.
The Hassan Diab Connection
Trevedik's breakthrough came with a photocopy of a passport belonging to Hassan Diab, discovered during an arrest in Rome in 1981. Significant findings included:
- Photograph Comparison: The passport photo closely matched police sketches of the suspected bomber.
- Travel Records: Entry and exit stamps aligned with the bombing timeline.
Further investigations revealed that Hassan Diab, residing in Ottawa as a sociology professor, had obtained a PhD from Syracuse University in the early 1990s. Handwriting analysis matched Diab’s PhD application with the hotel card used by the perpetrator.
Additional Evidence
A 1988 interrogation record of Yusuf El Khalil, a Lebanese financier, linked Diab to the PFLP-OS through personal associations. However, attempts to contact Khalil for further insights were unsuccessful, as he ascended to the role of Lebanon’s Finance Minister, limiting access to potentially crucial testimonies.
Mark Trevedik: "The main problem for investigating judge in antiterrorism is that you are working with intelligence services, but they cannot tell you their sources. So you can try to think about that, you can try to have some clue, but they are not going to tell you. It's classified."
(16:51)
Presentation to Victims' Families
In 2008, Trevedik met with the families of the bombing victims, including Oren Shagriya, whose mother, Elisa, perished in the attack. This meeting marked a significant moment for the families, who had long awaited closure.
Oren Shagriya: "He was very, very detailed. He was very impressive... determined to track down the attackers. For us, the families, I guess it was wow, because we haven't heard anything for so many years."
(23:13)
Trevedik presented the evidence implicating Diab, a revelation that was both surprising and distressing for the victims' families.
The Double-Edged Sword of Justice
As Trevedik pressed forward with his case, he grappled with the ethical complexities of pursuing justice decades after the crime. Balancing the victims' need for closure with the presumption of innocence underscored the tension inherent in the investigation.
Mark Trevedik: "When you are an investigating judge, you are working for the victims... you must also keep your distance because you are a judge and okay, okay, but I'm not going to give you a guy, a convicted man, because you need a convicted man. You say, I want to be sure that the guy is guilty."
(22:17)
Confronting the Accusation
The episode culminates with Trevedik’s official request to extradite Hassan Diab to France for trial, based on circumstantial evidence amassed over nearly three decades. However, this move sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between Diab and the French investigators.
During their visit to Diab’s residence in Ottawa, the tension reaches a peak as authorities prepare to detain him, leading to an emotionally charged scene:
Ann Maddox: "Anybody who knows him will know what. A decent, caring and peaceful person he is. Really peaceful, and would never ever commit a crime like this."
(25:10)
This moment encapsulates the central question of the series: Is Hassan Diab guilty, or is he a scapegoat? The juxtaposition of Diab’s professed innocence against the mounting evidence presents a complex moral dilemma about justice and the potential for wrongful accusation.
Conclusion and Teasers for the Future
Episode 2 lays the groundwork for understanding the depths of the investigation and the multifaceted nature of justice. It raises critical questions about the reliability of intelligence sources, the passage of time in solving crimes, and the human cost of seeking closure.
The episode closes with an anticipation of further developments in the case, promising listeners a continuation of this riveting investigation in subsequent episodes.
Notable Quotes
- Amanda Lifford (Promotion): "Podcasts Here's a show that we recommend."
- Pascal (Mark Trevedik): "I knew my classmates just wouldn't understand."
- Saverio Leopardi: "Any action is justifiable if in their eyes, it advances the cause of Palestinian nationalism."
- Mark Trevedik: "When you are an investigating judge, you are working for the victims... you must also keep your distance."
- Oren Shagriya: "This was astonishing for us. I mean, that something like this can happen at all."
- Ann Maddox: "A decent, caring and peaceful person he is. Really peaceful, and would never ever commit a crime like this."
Final Thoughts
Episode 2 of "The Copernic Affair" masterfully intertwines investigative rigor with personal narratives, offering listeners a comprehensive view of a case fraught with historical baggage and ethical quandaries. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Canadaland invites audiences to ponder the true meaning of justice and the lengths to which one might go to achieve it.
For those intrigued by the complexities of international investigations and the human stories behind them, this episode serves as a captivating exploration of "The Copernic Affair."