Lawyer for accused in human trafficking case says he is still waiting for disclosure

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on November 20, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

The lawyer for one of several individuals charged in relation to human-trafficking made a brief appearance in Lethbridge provincial court Friday.
The matter was simply adjourned for a month, however, after Calgary lawyer James Hawkins said he, like lawyers representing the other accused, is still waiting for disclosure.
His client, Dr. Ziyaad Noor of Calgary, is charged with sexual contact with a child, sexual counsel of a child, sexual assault of a person under the age of 16, sexual assault causing bodily harm, aggravated sexual assault, trafficking of a person under the age of 18, and sexual assault - party to offence with any other person.
Hawkins told court he received a bail synopsis in August, but has been waiting for more disclosure ever since.
Special Prosecutions in Calgary is prosecuting the case and, court was told, has an immense amount of information to process, including videos and privacy information, before it will be ready for lawyers.
Police say several men selected and groomed a 15-year-old girl and took her to specific locations where sex offences took place. The same individuals had also engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, and three additional victims came forward later in connection with the investigation.
In addition to Noor, the adults accused are Khaled Alsaid, Fadi Chtewi, Meriton Krasniqi, Abdullah Mohammad, Mohammad Neirabani, Mahmoud Neirabani, Mohammad Zafari and Ziyaad Noor. Theirs matters are also set to return to court in December.
Two youth, who cannot be identified, were charged with various sex offences, as well.

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