Conrad Black still out on bail
Prosecutors’ requests to have Conrad Black’s bail privileges revoked, has been denied today by a Chicago judge. Lord Black was convicted three counts of fraud and one count of obstruction of justice - crimes that will probably result in a sentence of 30 years. I think Black forced himself to a dead end on this one, and sees Canada as his only exit.
Conrad Black, a Canadian native, is now making attempts to cross the border to Canada. He says he will surrender his passport to Canada Border Agency as soon as he crosses. Prosecutors argue he is a flight risk (give me a break). I think its ridiculous to classify Black as a flight risk, but rather the Judge (Judge Amy St. Eve) needs to consider his behaviour and conduct throughout the trial. I say the major concern is not Lord Black being a flight risk, or him hiding in Canada, but rather the possiblity of him resisting to go back to the US. We have to keep in mind, we are dealing with white collar crime here - nothing else.
There is nothing in Canadian law, that suggests an extradition waiver entered into before a foreign court has any binding effect here. While Judge St. Eve can restrict Black’s movements in the United States, there is very little she can implement in Canada or its borders. As Black had previously given up his citizenship, the ultimate decision is upto border and immigration officials, whether to allow Black to enter as a visitor.
Because of the growing number of white collar crimes, I suggest a serious message ought to be sent out - Black be put in jail until the end of his trial (as he has failed to comply to his previous bail conditions). Like I’ve said, Canada is now Black’s only exit, and just as much as we shouldn’t be a safe haven for terrorists, we shouldn’t be one for white collar criminals.
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