Asylum seeker freed in Canada
Source: Agencies |
February 13, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A YOUNG Chinese asylum seeker who boarded a flight from Hong Kong to Canada disguised as an elderly white man has been released from Canadian custody after more than three months in detention, his lawyer said on Friday.
Lawyer Daniel McLeod said his client was released on condition he post a US$5,000 bond and report weekly to the Canada Border Services Agency.
"He's very relieved. He's been kinda stoic about the whole thing, he's quite young," said McLeod. "It's difficult for anyone to be in prison for three months in a medium security prison when they haven't committed any crimes."
The identity and age of the man, who did not appear in the Immigration and Refugee Board hearing but was listening to the translation via telephone, cannot be revealed due to a publication ban.
McLeod said someone has agreed to post the bond and provide accommodation, but could not give further details due to the publication ban.
The migrant boarded an Air Canada flight in Hong Kong wearing a remarkably detailed silicone mask. A government intelligence report says he removed the disguise in a washroom mid-flight before landing in Vancouver, British Columbia, on October 29.
The Canadian Border Services agency said the man presented a People's Republic of China identity card upon arrival in Vancouver.
Due to Canada's refugee and immigration laws, the migrant cannot be prosecuted for entering Canada illegally since he has claimed asylum.
Lawyer Daniel McLeod said his client was released on condition he post a US$5,000 bond and report weekly to the Canada Border Services Agency.
"He's very relieved. He's been kinda stoic about the whole thing, he's quite young," said McLeod. "It's difficult for anyone to be in prison for three months in a medium security prison when they haven't committed any crimes."
The identity and age of the man, who did not appear in the Immigration and Refugee Board hearing but was listening to the translation via telephone, cannot be revealed due to a publication ban.
McLeod said someone has agreed to post the bond and provide accommodation, but could not give further details due to the publication ban.
The migrant boarded an Air Canada flight in Hong Kong wearing a remarkably detailed silicone mask. A government intelligence report says he removed the disguise in a washroom mid-flight before landing in Vancouver, British Columbia, on October 29.
The Canadian Border Services agency said the man presented a People's Republic of China identity card upon arrival in Vancouver.
Due to Canada's refugee and immigration laws, the migrant cannot be prosecuted for entering Canada illegally since he has claimed asylum.
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