Computer engineer Keith Henson has been arrested in Canada, where he had planned to file for status as a political refugee after being convicted by a California court of posting to Usenet rude things about the Church of Scientology, and joking that CoS members should be nuked. He was convicted of interfering with a religion.

According to reports, Henson and friend Gregg Hagglund were in a parked car in a shopping mall when a Canadian Immigration service SWAT team equipped with body armor and heavy-duty weapons descended upon them as if they had been armed, desperate felons.

The Feds were acting on a tip which indicated Henson was in fact a dangerous fugitive.

The basis of the arrest warrant is Henson's alleged failure to disclose to Canadian Immigration officials the existence of a felony fugitive warrant from California when he entered the country on 12 May.

Henson's supporters say that the California warrant was issued subsequent to his entry to Canada, so he could not have reported it at the time.

He is being detained by Canadian Immigration pending a hearing scheduled for Thursday. ®

Related Story

Online Scientology critic seeks political asylum

Related Link

Updates on Henson's status