Accused human trafficker attempting to retain lawyer

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 18, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A man charged with several sex-related offences stemming from a human trafficking case is still trying to hire a new lawyer nearly four months after he and another lawyer parted ways.

The accused, Meriton Krasniqi, was in Lethbridge provincial court Monday, where duty counsel lawyer Brett Carlson explained Krasniqi has found a new lawyer but still needs more time to raise money for a retainer.

“On the last occasion it was (in court), the Crown agreed to re-open the issue of bail and bury his terms so that (Krasniqi) could try and obtain a second job,” Carlson said. “He has obtained that and is seeking to retain counsel…and seeking to raise the retainer.”

During a hearing on Oct. 3, the court removed one of several conditions of Krasniqi’s previous bail release, which required him to obey a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day.

Carlson noted Krasniqi still needs to receive disclosure from the Crown’s office, without which he cannot get an accurate estimate of the cost of his retainer.

“He hasn’t heard from the Crown’s office, but they are going to attend there again today to see if that can somehow be expedited.”

Krasniqi was set to stand trial in September, but it had to be cancelled after his previous lawyer was allowed to withdraw.

Krasniqi pleaded not guilty Jan. 7 to charges of sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault/party to offence with another person, aggravated sexual assault, trafficking in persons under the age of 18, and two counts of sexual assault.

Police alleged that eight men and two youth from Lethbridge and Calgary selected and groomed a 15-year-old girl and took her to specific locations where sex offences occurred. The same individuals had also engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, and three additional complainants came forward later in connection with the investigation.

The accused’s next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12 to confirm whether he has retained a lawyer.

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