Direct Indictment Filed in Human Smuggling Case

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - June 27, 2012) - The Public Prosecution Service of Canada today announced the filing of a direct indictment in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against six people charged with human smuggling.

Sathyapavan Aseervatham, 43, Kunarobinson Christhurajah, 32, Lesly Jana Emmanuel, 37, Nadarajah Mahendran, 56, Thayakaran Markandu, 40, and Thampeernayagam Rajaratnam, 55, are all charged with one count of knowingly organizing, inducing, aiding or abetting the coming into Canada of one or more persons not in possession of a visa, passport or other document required by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, contrary to s. 117(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The accused were charged after the MV Sun Sea, a boat carrying 492 migrants, arrived in British Columbia in 2010.

By preferring an indictment, the Crown is sending this matter directly to trial before a preliminary inquiry is held. The decision is in accordance with s. 577 of the Criminal Code and policy in the Federal Prosecution Service Deskbook, a public document.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada is responsible for prosecuting offences under federal jurisdiction in a manner that is free of any improper influence and that respects the public interest. The PPSC is also responsible for providing prosecution-related advice to law enforcement agencies across Canada.

Backgrounder on Direct Indictments

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