Trial dates expected for men charged in human trafficking case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 7, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

Two men charged with several others in relation to a human trafficking case are expected to schedule trial dates the next time their matters are in court.
Calgary lawyer Kirsten Lancee, who represents Mohammad Neirabani, was in Lethbridge provincial court Wednesday, where she elected to have her client tried by a provincial court judge. She also pleaded not guilty on behalf of her client to charges of 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, being a party with others to sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, trafficking in persons and luring a child.
Lancee told court Neirabani is scheduled to have a pre-trial conference just before court today, and she will be able to confirm trial dates later in the morning.
Charges against co-accused Mohammad Zafari were also in court Wednesday. Calgary lawyer Sean Fagan said a pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 28, and defence will be able to confirm trial dates during court on Aug. 3.
Zafari, who had several charges recently withdrawn, faces charges of sexual contact with a child and sexual assault of a person under the age of 16.
Both accused are part of a group of men and two youth who were charged last August in relation to a human trafficking investigation. Police said 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.
The charges against all the accused include sexual interference, sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault, and all but two of the accused face charges of trafficking persons under the age of 18. They were all released on bail shortly after they were arrested, and one of the youths pleaded guilty in March to two counts of sexual assault against two girls, and was given a two-year deferred custody and supervision order, to be served in the community.
Several of the individuals have already pleaded not guilty to their charges and have scheduled trial dates.

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