However, Van Loan stressed that while the Canadian government would always pursue the case of Mohammed Kohail, 24, and his 18-year-old brother Sultan within the framework of international diplomatic processes, it would never interfere in the Saudi judicial process.
“Canada has and will continue to pursue all avenues to assist Mohammed and Sultan Kohail,” he said of the case, which he discussed with Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Zainal Alireza on Wednesday.
Van Loan said Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon had raised the case with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Cannon, who also met with Mohammed and Sultan’s father Ali Kohail during his visit to the Kingdom in October 2009, raised other consular issues of concern to Canada, including the case of Nathalie Morin, who is reportedly being held against her will in the Kingdom by her Saudi husband.
“Canada’s ministers, parliamentary secretaries, our ambassador and officials in Saudi Arabia as well as officials in Ottawa are fully engaged on this file,” said Van Loan of the Kohail case, adding that consular officials are actively providing support and remain in regular contact with the brothers’ family and their legal counsel.
“We take consular issues seriously, (as) they are important to Canada, but we also believe that human rights issues like that need not interfere with other relations ... you can strongly assert those interests at the same time,” he added.
Mohammed, a Canadian citizen of Palestinian heritage, was arrested in January 2007 and charged with killing a Syrian youth during a vicious schoolyard brawl in Jeddah. Sultan was also held in connection with the death.
A lower Saudi court gave Mohammed the death sentence, later overturned by a superior court in January this year, clearing the way for a retrial.
He confirmed that the Canadian government had asked for royal clemency for the Kohail brothers in case they are convicted and given a harsh punishment even after retrial.
“In the Kohail case, yes we have (asked for clemency). We are watching the judicial process ... and we hope that the outcome will be positive,” he said.
Ali Kohail refused to comment to Arab News on Thursday.
The Kohails immigrated to Canada in 2000 and became citizens in 2005.