Ottawa wants to deport alleged former Nazi

The federal government wants to take a 92-year-old man with Alzheimer's to court, revoke his Canadian citizenship and deport him.

A judge has already found that Jacob Fast can't meaningfully participate in his own trial. Fast's lawyers say that means their client can't get a fair trial and they want the proceedings stopped.

But a federal court judge says the case should go ahead, even if Fast isn't there in body, or mind.

The allegations against him are serious. The government claims that during the Second World War Fast was with a police auxiliary unit in Ukraine attached to the Schutzstaffel, or SS.

The allegation is he murdered Jews.

The government says when Fast came to Canada in 1947, he didn't mention his Nazi past. Now, it wants to revoke his Canadian citizenship and deport him.

In the past, Fast has denied the allegations against him.

The judge agreed Fast has Alzheimer's but he ruled that since the case is a civil proceeding, and not a criminal trial, it can go ahead.

Under civil law, a party to an action doesn't have to be present.

Fast's lawyers are appealing that ruling. "If you're going to try to kick someone out of the country, and you allege all these heinous crimes, like murder, then they are entitled to a fair trial," said lawyer Hal Matson.