Accused Sri Lankan Tamil gets bail while awaiting new human smuggling trial

Feb 2, 2017 | 10:25 AM

VANCOUVER — A Sri Lankan man accused of bringing hundreds of Tamil migrants into Canada illegally has been granted bail after more than six years in jail.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled that Kunarobinson Christhurajah does not have to remain in custody while awaiting a new trial over allegations of human smuggling.

Last week a jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case of Christhurajah, who was accused of organizing or facilitating the voyage of the MV Sun Sea, a dilapidated cargo vessel that brought 492 Tamil asylum seekers to Canada in August 2010.

The jury found three other men not guilty.