Trial date set in human trafficking case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 8, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A trial has been set for a man facing numerous sex-related offences in relation to a human trafficking case.
Neirabani Mohammad is scheduled to stand trial for three days beginning Feb. 22 of next year, on 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.
The trial was scheduled Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court, nearly a year after the accused was charged with seven other men and two youth. Calgary lawyer Kirsten Lancee, who the day before pleaded not guilty on behalf of her client, said a one-day voir dire has also been scheduled for Dec. 19 of this year.
A voir dire is a mini trial within a trial, in which the judge is asked to determine if evidence is admissible and can be entered into evidence at the trial. Lancee said the voir dire is needed to determine the voluntariness of the accused’s statements to police.
Neirabani is 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 several of the individuals have pleaded not guilty to their charges and have scheduled trial dates.

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