MONTREAL - Adil Charkaoui spent more than six years under suspicion of being a terrorist operative, spent 21 months in jail, had his movements tracked with an electronic bracelet, and missed the birth of his son.
Now he wants the federal government to pay.
After a Federal Court judge ruled his security certificate null and void Wednesday, the Montreal man said he'll be seeking reparations for the years he spent trying to clear his name.
In the meantime, the Moroccan native said he simply wanted to celebrate.
"Finally, after six and a half years, I can enjoy not only freedom, but justice," he told a news conference.
"We'll be organizing a huge party and everyone will be invited."
Charkaoui, a married father of three who has steadfastly denied any links to terrorists, said he's elated by Wednesday's judgment.
Federal Court Justice Daniele Tremblay-Lamer wrote that the certificate must be quashed and that Ottawa has no right to appeal.
Tremblay-Lamer said the notion of national security is a question of perspective and that grey zones can exist.
"A disagreement on. . . one element of the evidence might lead the ministers to believe the court has given more weight to the rights of an individual over the demands of national security," Tremblay-Lamer wrote.
"However, this belief is not founded."
The case against Charkaoui began to unravel this summer when Ottawa's lawyers withdrew evidence against him, saying disclosing such information would endanger national security.
Government lawyers were seeking permission to appeal a court decision that would have forced Ottawa to disclose information about the case.
A member of Charkaoui's legal team called the decision a legally important one, because it cements in practice the notion that decisions on national security could be left to a judge's discretion.
"That's where this decision can have an impact," said Lucie Joncas, a lawyer for Charkaoui. "The judge doesn't have to defer to (a government) minister's opinion about what is national security."
Tremblay-Lamer had already removed the remaining conditions against Charkaoui last month, notably one that forced him to wear an ankle bracelet that let the government track his every move since 2005.
Many of the conditions originally imposed on Charkaoui had already been removed in February, when the judge ruled some of them had become disproportionate given the number of years that had passed since he first faced terrorist allegations.
Tremblay-Lamer had already warned lawyers that the security certificate would fall, because the federal government failed to meet its burden of proof once the disputed material -- gathered through wiretaps -- was removed.
Charkaoui is demanding an apology and compensation from the government.
Charkaoui is a landed immigrant who was arrested in Montreal in 2003 under security-certificate legislation that allows Canada to expel foreign-born individuals if they are considered a national security risk.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service said it continued to stand by its information Wednesday, but could not disclose certain information because it would jeopardize national security.
The agency says Charkaoui, a schoolteacher and part-time graduate student, is an al Qaeda sympathizer who should be returned to his native Morocco.
"CSIS cannot protect the safety and security of Canadians effectively if the subjects of its investigations are aware of its methods of operation," the spy agency said in a statement.
"It is imperative that a security intelligence service protect its methodologies and investigative techniques. . .
"It is unfortunate that, given the unique nature of this decision and the implications for national security, the judge did not agree that the case presented aspects that warranted an appeal."
In a recent interview, Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan said he had concerns about various aspects related to the question of security certificates, including rising legal costs.
"But what I have to do is find a way to ensure that Canadians' safety and security is protected," he said.
Van Loan said Wednesday through a spokesman that the government would be reviewing the decision and its impact on national security.
Charkaoui was among five men -- including four from Ontario -- who were facing removal from Canada under the certificates.
Mohamed Harkat, Mahmoud Jaballah, Mohamed Zeki Mahjoub and Hassan Almrei are all fighting to remain in the country.
Charkaoui began his news conference by stating a wish that it might be his last, but then added that he wouldn't simply fade into the background.
"I feel I have a responsibility to help other people facing the same difficulties," Charkaoui said.
There have been recent revelations in the Harkat and Almrei cases that CSIS failed to disclose certain evidence, which could jeopardize those proceedings.
For his part, Charkaoui said he's planning a party and will invite everyone who has championed his cause.
"It's a great decision for me, a historical decision and so I'm really happy," Charkaoui said.
"Finally, it's the end of this nightmare."
