Conrad Black has laid out his arguments for remaining an officer of the Order of Canada.

The 67 year old former head of media giant Hollinger International  says it would heap “insult upon injury” to strip him of membership because of his criminal convictions in the U-S, noting no Canadian court would have found him guilty of the same charges.

In an affidavit filed in federal court, Black says there are grounds to show he was treated inappropriately and unfairly in his U-S fraud and obstruction of justice case.

Black is fighting to appear in person before the Order of Canada’s advisory council.  His supporters include former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a long time friend and former business associate.  Court records show Kissinger has made a written plea on Black’s behalf. 

Conrad Black served 37 months of a 42 month sentence in a Florida prison.  He recently returned to Canada on a temporary resident permit.  Black renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001 to become a member of the British House of Lords.