Human trafficking case sees further adjournment

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 8, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The lawyer for one of several people charged in relation to a human trafficking case appeared in Lethbridge provincial court Tuesday to adjourn his client’s case once again.

Calgary lawyer Rabie Ahmed represented Khaled Alsaid in provincial court Wednesday, in regard to a charge of failing to comply with release order conditions.

The matter was brought forward from trial dates to speak to an amendment to bail, but it was adjourned to Sept. 21.

His other matters were sent to the Case Management Office to set trial dates.

Alsaid was scheduled to stand trial Sept. 19 on one count of sexual assault, and is also scheduled to stand trial Dec. 21-23 on charges of sexual assault of a person under the age of 16, sexual contact with a child, and sexual counsel of a child.

According to police, Alsaid is a member of an alleged human trafficking ring which sexually exploited girls under the age of 18 and were charged in August 2021.

Alsaid is one of nine accused in the matter.

The accused who have been released on bail were ordered to reside with sureties, many of whom are family members and are required to report to police should the accused breach any of their bail conditions. The individuals must remain in their surety’s residence 24 hours a day, although there are exceptions for medical emergencies, employment, school, and court-related meetings.

Alsaid is prohibited from having contact with any other accused and the complainants, and he must surrender his passports to police and not leave Alberta.

Police reported they learned several individuals had 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.

The remaining adult accused, Fadi Chtewi, Abdullah Mohammed, Mohammad Neiribani, Mahmoud Neirabani, Mohammad Zafari and Ziyaad Noor, have either scheduled trial dates or are preparing to set trial dates. One of the youths is set for trial in November, while the other pleaded guilty in March to charges of sexual assault against two girls, and was given a two-year deferred custody and supervision order.

– with files from Delon Shurtz

Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter

Comments are closed.