Lawyers scrutinize evidence as seven-day hearing begins
Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 23/01) - Almost a year to the day after he was arrested, Lothar Ebke returned to court Tuesday for his extradition hearing.
Regardless of the way the hearing goes, however, the lawyer for the man the German government claims is a terrorist plans to argue that Ebke's arrest and detention amount to a violation of his constitutional rights.
Wes Wilson, a Toronto-based lawyer, said he plans to file an application for a stay of proceedings after the hearing wraps up.
If the first day of testimony was any indication, the hearing will not proceed quickly.
Much of Tuesday's session was devoted to lawyers for both the German government and Ebke painstakingly scrutinizing almost every piece of evidence accumulated by police in the course of their investigation.
It was also adjourned for 15 minutes while court staff scrambled to find a vital document that had gone missing.
The hearing is expected to take seven days of court time. In addition to the extradition matter, Ebke is also charged under the Immigration Act with entering the country under false pretenses. Four associates also face immigration charges.
If Justice John Vertes finds there are grounds for Ebke to be extradited, federal Justice Minister Anne McLellan must sign an extradition order against him.
Lothar Ebke: a timeline
- 1985-1987 - German authorities claim Lothar Ebke engaged in a series of shootings and bombings under the auspices of the Revolutionary Cells, a left-wing terrorist group.
- May 2000 - Ebke is arrested by the RCMP at the request of the German government. In addition to the extradition matter, Ebke is also charged under the Immigration Act with entering the country under false pretences. Four associates also face immigration charges.
- June 2000 - After a month in custody, Ebke is released on $100,000 bail posted by friends.
- April 2001 - Immigration charges against Ebke and four associates are stayed.
- May 22, 2001 - Ebke's extradition hearing begins.
