Accused Calgary doctor ‘eager to proceed’ in human trafficking case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on April 16, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Calgary doctor charged in relation to a human trafficking case in Lethbridge could set a trial date when he returns to court next month.
Ziyaad Noor is “eager to proceed,” his lawyer said this week during a brief hearing in Lethbridge provincial court.
Calgary lawyer James Hawkins told the judge although he is still reviewing recent disclosure, a pre-trial conference has been scheduled for May 2. A pre-trial conference provides an informal setting for all parties and the judge to identify the facts that may be agreed upon or are in dispute, and clarify various issues between the parties.
The matter is set to return to docket court May 4, ostensibly to confirm a date for trial. The trial is expected to take three days, Hawkins suggested.
Noor 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 in persons, and being party to sexual assault. Noor pleaded not guilty in March and elected to be tried by a provincial court judge.
The charges stem from a police investigation in which 10 individuals, including two youth, were arrested last August. Police said several men groomed a 15-year-old girl and took her to various locations where sex offences took place. The same individuals also engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, and three additional victims came forward later in connection with the investigation.
Defence for one of the other accused, Fadi Chtewi, made a brief appearance in court Thursday, but simply requested the matter be adjourned for a month to review additional disclosure. During a court hearing in February, Lethbridge lawyer Scott Hadford said he was waiting to receive an early case resolution proposal from the Crown. The matter returned in March but court was told defence still needed more time to review disclosure.
Chtewi is charged with sexual assault, sexual contact with a child, sexual counsel of a child, sexual assault of a person under the age of 16, aggravated sexual assault, trafficking in persons, and being party to a sexual assault with another person.

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