Translation issues prompt further adjournment in human trafficking case

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 15, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

One of ten people charged in relation to a human trafficking case had his matters appear in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday, but they were adjourned for another month.
Lethbridge lawyer C. Lebenzon appeared on behalf of K.S. Hadford in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday to ask for another month adjournment in the Fadi Chtewi matters, who 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.
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.
Also charged in the matter are Ziyaad Noor, Meriton Krasniqi, Abdullah Mohammad, Mohammad Zafari, Khalid Alsaid, and two youths who cannot be identified.
Lebenzon told the court Thursday that they have a very high volume of disclosure and have had a lot of trouble getting an Arabic translator in for disclosure review. She said they also had problems arranging a meeting with their client and finally had one set for July 29 in order to go over everything.
“Our plan is to take steps on the next date,” said Lebenzon.
She asked Judge E. Olsen if they could have the matter adjourned to Aug. 25, but before Olsen could answer, Crown prosecutor A. Zelmer advised the court that Crown prosecutor J. Mercier, who has conduct of the matter, had instructions regarding further delays.
“His instructions are Crown has been ready to set a pre-trial conference or trial date for quite some time, disclosure is complete, these files need to move along. He noted no problem with the adjournment, assuming council is prepared to wave delay, as this matter will be one year old on August 5,” said Zelmer.
Lebenzon, who had no instructions in that regard, advised the court that they only received full disclosure a month or two ago.
“This took a really long time for the full disclosure, and in addition to that, the issue with the translator. We have been trying so hard to get someone in, and we just haven’t heard back from Lethbridge Family Services until very recently, when we found a different organization to provide us with a translator,” said Lebenzon.
Judge Olsen allowed the matter to be adjourned to Aug. 25. She said that in any event, translation is required for Hadford to fully and fairly represent Chtewi’s interests.
Olsen indicated that if a pre-trial was to be required, she suggested Hadford contact the trial coordinator immediately to set it up, so it can occur after the meeting with his client that will be taking place on July 29, but before Aug. 25 to avoid further delays.
-with files from Delon Shurtz

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