On Campus

Police investigate Flanagan over assassination remarks

After several complaints a file will be forwarded to the Crown prosecutor’s office

The University of Calgary may not think Tom Flanagan’s remarks about assassinating Wikileaks founder Julian Assange warrant punishment, but Calgary police just might.

According to the Sun chain, police are referring the case to the Crown’s office, where a decision on whether to pursue criminal charges against Flanagan will be made. “Due to a number of calls we have received regarding this matter, the Calgary Police Services will be gathering all facts and compiling a package that will be forwarded to the Crown prosecutor’s office for review,” a police spokesman said in a statement.

When appearing on CBC’s Power and Politics last week, Flanagan said the American government “should put out a contract [on Assange] and maybe use a drone or something.” Although he later retracted those comments, several University of Calgary alumni have been petitioning the university to reprimand the political science professor, and former aid to Stephen Harper. The U of C has said it will not be pursuing disciplinary action.

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