Scared witnesses refuse to testify on Air India

The Air India inquiry has adjourned until September after a key mystery witness refused to testify and another secondary witness suffered a heart attack.
The inquiry has been probing what took place leading up to the deadly 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, that left 329 people dead.
Former Supreme Court justice John Major, who is heading the inquiry, met behind closed doors with the key witness and other secondary witnesses who all refused to testify out of fear for their safety.
However, the mystery witnesses wouldn't even discuss the matter in private, said CTV's Roger Smith.
"Word went out yesterday that there would be some very interesting testimony today at the inquiry but it appears that the secret witnesses got cold feet," Smith told CTV Newsnet.
"Commissioner John Major ... went in-camera with these witnesses early this morning trying to find a way that they could testify.
"But one of these witnesses had a heart attack and a key witness who they hoped would testify in-camera, and then again publicly, refused to testify even in camera, even in private," Smith said.
They refused to take the stand because the commissioner could not provide the safety and security that the witnesses felt they needed because of the explosive nature of their testimony, he added. Major said that even if the witnesses spoke in secret, it is still possible that their testimony could eventually get out. For example, journalists could file Access to Information requests or launch lawsuits to get at the information, putting the witnesses at risk of reprisals.
20/06/07 CTV.ca News with Canadian Press

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Categories: Air India Jun 2007, Foreign Jun 2007, Safety Jun 2007