A chilling silence surrounds the case of a Canadian Forces Intelligence Command member accused of leaking sensitive information. Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar walked free from custody Monday, following a hearing in Gatineau, Quebec, but the details of the allegations against him remain locked behind a wall of secrecy.
Robar faces serious charges, including breaches of the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act, suggesting a potential compromise of national security. His arrest last week sent ripples through the intelligence community, yet the specifics of what he allegedly did remain unknown – even to him, according to his lawyer.
The lack of transparency is deeply troubling, according to Rory Fowler, Robar’s counsel. Fowler expressed astonishment that military police publicly identified his client in connection with such a sensitive matter, while simultaneously refusing to disclose any details about the accusations.
This isn’t the first time Robar has faced detention this year. He was initially arrested on October 24th and briefly released, only to be re-arrested on December 10th – the very day the charges were announced. The conditions of his second detention were particularly harsh, reportedly including days spent in an unheated cell.
A previous disciplinary investigation, culminating in a reprimand, adds another layer of complexity to the case. Robar filed a grievance challenging the disciplinary action, but the connection – if any – between that grievance and the current allegations remains unclear.
Authorities state the investigation began in 2024, a joint effort between the Canadian Forces Military Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The focus: the “unauthorized disclosure of safeguarded information” to a foreign entity. The implications of such a breach are profound.
Fowler is involved in the earlier grievance case, but is not leading the defense against the foreign interference charges. This suggests a complex legal landscape, with multiple layers of representation and scrutiny.
Crucially, all allegations remain unproven. The case, if it proceeds, will be heard within the military justice system through a court martial – a process that could take weeks, or even months, to unfold. The nation awaits answers, shrouded in uncertainty.
