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Saturday, May 20, 2000 OUTRAGE AT JUDGE'S DECISION TO GRANT
SUSPECTED SMUGGLERS BAIL
(Catherine Urquhart)
- There is outrage against the legal system Saturday after a
Victoria judge ordered nine Koreans charged with human smuggling
be let out on bail. Nearly six hundred Chinese migrants, crammed
together on four rusted-out freighters, arrived in BC last summer.
Now, nine Koreans charged with smuggling the migrants into B.C.
could be released on bail. If they're not, the case against them
may be thrown out. After 52 days in court, Justice Ronald McKinnon
has ruled that the Crown failed to release evidence to the
defence. MP Randy White believes the case is being mishandled and
he's not alone. The nine Koreans are caught between the justice
system and Immigration Canada. The judge wants them released so
they can have freer access to their lawyers. Immigration Canada
has warrants out against the nine, which could prevent their
release. White says it's not only outrageous that they're likely
to be released, but it's obvious that these people will disappear.
Immigration Canada officials aren't saying if they wil l comply
with the judge, who has ordered a decision by
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