Canadian authorities have delayed the expulsion of an accused Russian spy arrested one month ago, despite a judge’s ruling to have him sent out, the man’s lawyer is quoted by AFP news agency as saying.

Stephane Handfield told AFP that the alleged spy known as Paul William Hampel was supposed to be expelled following the 04 December 2006 judge’s decision on his case.

“There is no reason to justify any delay,” he said, emphasizing that “Hampel” “wants to spend Christmas with his family.”

Canadian authorities arrested the man on November 14 at the Montreal airport, accusing him of being a Russian spy working under a false Canadian identity.

According to prosecutors, the man had spent years in Canada, obtaining a Canadian passport under the name Hampel three times on the basis of a fake birth certificate.

Two weeks ago federal court judge Pierre Blais found the security certificate used to arrest him was “reasonable” and ordered his removal from Canada.

Canada’s use of a security certificate to make an arrest and order someone expelled as a national security risk is very rare and the procedure must be reviewed and approved by a judge.

A summary of evidence released by a federal court said the suspect was an “elite Russian intelligence officer” who masqueraded as a Canadian citizen to gather information “for over a decade both within Canada and abroad.”

His targets were not identified.

In the December 4 hearing “Hampel” admitted he was a Russian but denied he was a spy.

Handfield said Canadian security services had held up the expulsion, and had only contacted the Russian consulate in Montreal on Monday, saying the man’s expulsion before December 27 would be difficult.

Canadian security officials were not available for comment on the case.

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