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Khadr was released on bail in Canada in 2015, pending a lengthy appeal of his conviction in the U.S. His lawyers unsuccessfully sought to loosen his bail conditions in December; Khadr had sought a Canadian passport, the ability to travel outside Alberta without notifying a bail supervisor, and to remove the requirement that conversations be monitored between Khadr and his sister Zaynab, who has spoken out in favour of al-Qaida and who was once investigated for supporting the terror group.

Photo by Ian Kucerak/Postmedia

Also in 2015 a Utah court awarded Morris and Speer’s widow, Tabitha Speer, US$134 million in damages from Khadr. The two are continuing to fight civil cases in Alberta and Ontario courts to have that judgment recognized in Canada.

“At this point I can’t control, my clients can’t control what Mr. Khadr does with his money,” said Jamie Schacter, a Toronto-based lawyer for Speer and Morris, in response to news of Khadr’s purchase.

“I believe in our justice system, I strongly believe in our clients’ case and I believe that there is a valid judgment out of Utah to enforce in our court system,” he said.

Managers of the businesses that are tenants at the mall who were willing to speak with the Post Monday were aware the building had changed hands, but had never met their new landlord.

One business owner, who requested anonymity, said he had dealt exclusively with the realtor. At the autoshop, a manager who declined to give him name said he had not met the landlord either, but questioned why the media continued to hound Khadr after he’d done his time.

As news spread of the transaction Monday, a few negative reviews for the businesses at the mall had begun to crop up online. “Found out that this location pays its rent to Omar Khadr. Please boycott until the owners relocate otherwise you are indirectly paying a terrorist,” one person posted about the travel agency.

— with files from Geoffrey Morgan in Calgary

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