One of the individuals accused of human smuggling, when 44 migrants were discovered in a crowded cube van in southern Quebec, has been granted bail. Firat Yuksek has been released under strict conditions, such as not possessing a passport and staying away from the Canada-U.S. border within 25 kilometers.
Meanwhile, Quebec court Judge Alexandre Tardif has decided that Yuksekâs co-accused, Ogulcan Mersin and Dogan Alakus, will remain in custody until the conclusion of their trial. The evidence presented during the bail hearing in Sherbrooke, Que., is subject to a publication ban.
The arrests took place around 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 3 near Stanstead, Que., after authorities intercepted a cube truck close to the U.S. border. The trio is facing charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Customs Act for allegedly smuggling 44 migrants, primarily Haitian, including young children and a pregnant woman.
The case is scheduled to resume in court on Nov. 3. Additionally, a fourth suspect, Tolga Yilmaz, was apprehended at Montreal Trudeau International Airport on Aug. 8 for reportedly attempting to flee and is also implicated in the case.
