Canada Declares Afghan Hezb-i-Islami A Terrorist Group

OTTAWA, October 25, 2006 -- Canada has officially declared the Hezb-i-Islami party headed by former Afghan Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, to be a terrorist organization. A written statement from Canadian Public Security Minister Stockwell Day said Hezb-i-Islami has joined forces with Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, knowingly engages in terrorism, and seeks the overthrow of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The official designation as a terrorist group allows Canadian authorities to seize any assets of Hezb-i-Islami in Canada and prosecute anyone in Canada who knowingly helps it.