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2mo ago

Judge Questions U.S. Case as Toronto Lawyer Fights Extradition at Bail Hearing

An Ontario judge questioned prosecutors’ flight‑risk theory given the case’s reliance on a co‑operating witness.

Deepak Paradkar leaves a Hamilton, Ont., courthouse on April 11, 2017.
Deepak Paradkar, a longtime Ontario lawyer, is among eight people in Canada charged in the U.S. over alleged ties to wanted fugitive Ryan Wedding.
Lawyer Deepak Paradkar in Hamilton, Ont., in April, 2017. Crown lawyers believe Mr. Paradkar must be denied bail because he is a flight risk.

Overview

  • Justice Peter Bawden pressed the Crown on claims that Deepak Paradkar would flee and cautioned about evidence from a co‑operating witness who admitted involvement in murders.
  • Paradkar seeks interim release with a joint $5 million pledge, 24/7 house arrest, GPS monitoring, passport surrender, and tightly restricted device access.
  • Prosecutors argue detention is necessary based on alleged access to resources, luxury payments, prior travel to Mexico, and potential life sentences if convicted in the United States.
  • Court filings indicate the U.S. case relies on a co‑operating FBI witness and data from Andrew Clark’s phone, including texts and group chats cited to allege Paradkar’s operational role.
  • The bail hearing is set to resume on Dec. 23 as fugitive Ryan Wedding remains sought in Mexico, with a US$15 million State Department reward and new FBI photos publicized.