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OTTAWA The Federal Court has overturned a Canadian visa officer’s decision to refuse permanent residence to a former Iraqi government official under Saddam Hussein’s regime, in a case that could have larger implications for how Canada decides whether to accept refugees with ties to dictatorships.

Judge Michael Manson found the visa officer ignored evidence suggesting Zaghlol Kassab had little real power within the regime, and ordered that his application for permanent residence be reassessed by a new officer.

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But the judge also raised a broader question about how Canadian officials should determine whether someone is too high up in a regime engaged in human rights abuses to be admitted to Canada as a refugee, which must now be answered by the Federal Court of Appeal.

Sergio Karas, an immigration lawyer and analyst not involved with the case, said he thinks the issue could end up before the Supreme Court of Canada. He said there’s currently not enough guidance for visa officers tasked with deciding which government positions are too senior to be admissible to Canada.