Jaspal Atwal, a man convicted of attempted murder for his role in an attack on an Indian politician, said today he's not a terrorist and is sorry for any "embarrassment" his invitation to an event at the Canadian High Commission in India might have caused.
Speaking to reporters in Vancouver Thursday, Atwal said he has "nothing but regret and remorse" for his role in the 1986 attack on an Indian minister of state, adding he is no longer a supporter of the Sikh independence movement.
Atwal read from a prepared statement and refused to answer questions from reporters, leaving those to his lawyer.
"I, like the vast majority of Sikhs who once advocated for this cause, have reconciled with the nation of India," he said.
"I have nothing but regret and remorse for my actions and the suffering I caused to the victim. What I did was described as an act of terror by the judge who dealt with this matter. I accept full responsibility. I do not disagree with the court's conclusions."
Atwal said he has been active in Indo-Canadian politics for years — meeting with Liberal, Conservative and NDP politicians alike — and visited Parliament Hill three times in 2013 and 2014.
"I have met and been photographed with many politicians, from all parties," he said. "I have met many politicians who have wanted to reach out to the Indian community. I have had assisted with making sure the Indian community was able to communicate with politicians."
Atwal said he reached out to Liberal MP Randeep Sarai before the trip to India, asking if he could secure an invitation to the official reception with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Canadian High Commission in India. He said he "assumed there would be no problems" with his presence at the event.
"When my attendance became the news story that brings us here today I was completely shocked and devastated," he said.
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