ANOTHER BIRTHDAY IN GREEK PRISON

Friends Seek Transfer To Canadian Custody

KEVIN Hiebert celebrates his 33rd birthday today the same way he's
marked the previous seven -- from the inside of a Greek prison cell.

But friends of the former West Kildonan resident are rallying to
support him and generate pressure to get him transferred to Canada to
serve out his sentence.

Hiebert was arrested in October 1999 at an Athens airport as he tried
to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine in the heels of three pairs of shoes.

"Kevin made one bad mistake and he's served his time -- longer than
anyone else would have -- and he wants to come back to Canada," said
Ryan McDonald, who grew up with Hiebert in West Kildonan.

Facebook site

McDonald has started a group for Hiebert in the popular social
networking website Facebook (Free Kevin Hiebert at www.facebook.com)
that has already attracted the support of several other longtime
friends who weren't aware that Hiebert is in a Greek prison.

"A lot of people are asking what's happened to him and we're coming
up with some ideas," McDonald said.

McDonald said he hopes the listing in Facebook will generate a
grassroots campaign that can raise some money for Hiebert and put
pressure on the Canadian government to facilitate his transfer to a
Canadian prison.

"No one has stepped up for Kevin and we're going to change that,"
McDonald said.

Hiebert was one of seven Winnipeggers arrested for drug-smuggling in
late 1999 and early 2000, allegedly tied to the same smuggling
operation. The RCMP said at the time that all were likely recruited
on behalf of a Nigerian drug-trafficking ring operating out of
Greece. The first four people arrested in September 1999 in Amsterdam
led authorities to Hiebert. Police were waiting for him at the Athens airport.

At Hiebert's trial the following September, his Greek lawyer told him
he could expect a sentence of three to five years but the judges
shocked the courtroom when they imposed a life sentence, with no
eligibility of parole for 10 to 15 years, and a US$150,000 fine.

Hiebert immediately wanted to appeal the sentence but was told that a
hearing couldn't be held until 2005 at the earliest. He was told that
his best bet would be to apply for a transfer to Canada, where he
could serve his sentence in a Canadian prison. But to do that, he
would have to sign away his right to an appeal.

The Greek authorities were originally supportive of the move but
backed away when Canadian Embassy officials erroneously told them
that the maximum conviction for a similar conviction here was three
years -- in fact the maximum sentence in Canada is the same, a life
sentence, but the most likely sentence for a first offender like
Hiebert would be three to five years.

Hiebert's applied three times now to Greek justice officials for a
transfer to serve his sentence in Canada, but each time he's been
told he hasn't served enough time to satisfy Greek justice.

Lawyer Michael Mercury, who has worked with the family in the past,
said he's dismayed that three successive Canadian governments haven't
demanded that the Greeks honour the prisoner-transfer treaty.

"I'm really surprised that nothing has been done," Mercury said.
"Kevin was a mule in that drug operation. The other people arrested
with him have already served their time and been released but Kevin
has been in prison for eight years. I can't understand why Canada has
not demanded the Greeks... honour the terms of the treaty."

Hiebert's incarceration has taken a toll on his family. His mother
felt betrayed by the lifestyle he was living at the time and after
his sentencing suffered a nervous breakdown. His parents have since
separated and they've sold their home.

Hiebert's father, Dick Hiebert, said he tries to support his son
emotionally and financially but adds he's been living on a CPP
disability pension since an auto accident in 1993.

"I'm grateful that Kevin's friends are trying to help him," the elder
Hiebert, 60, said this week. He said his son is often frustrated with
his situation but that he tries to keep him positive and hopeful.

Dick Hiebert said that his son has accepted responsibility for his
actions but added he believes it's time for him to come home.

"He's done eight years... it's enough," Hiebert said.

McDonald said Hiebert calls him often and he keeps him informed of
what's going on back home. "He has days when he's depressed but I
think he'll be OK mentally."

During a recent telephone interview from the Malandrino prison 200
kilometres northwest of Athens, Hiebert said he's surprised that
McDonald is trying to help him, adding he's avoided lobbying for help
in any way.

Hiebert said he's tried to stay hopeful but added that the repeated
rejections from Greek authorities for his transfer are taking their toll.

"Prison life makes you feel isolated and the longer you're here, the
further away you feel from society," Hiebert said. "I don't know how
much more I can handle. I don't want to scare anybody but... it's a
prison. It's a nightmare environment."

Hiebert escaped unhurt from a prison riot in April, when several
hundred inmates took to the roof for several days to protest living conditions.

Hiebert said he's passed his time by working at the prison canteen,
reading, exercising and playing soccer and basketball with other inmates.

He said he's still hopeful that Greece will send him to Canada but
admits that he no longer expects to hear good news when he makes his
next application.

"I'm looking at spending 16 years here," Hiebert said. "The Canadian
government has its hands full and I'm last on their list. What can I do?"