A man from Ontario, part of a group targeted in connection with Canadian fugitive Ryan Wedding, is seeking court protection for his potential bail supervisors’ identities.
Rolan Sokolovski, represented by his lawyers, has requested restrictions on revealing information that could identify his prospective sureties before his upcoming bail hearing. Sokolovski is among several Canadians facing extradition to the U.S. in relation to an FBI investigation into Wedding, an ex-Olympic snowboarder suspected of leading an international drug trafficking operation.
According to U.S. authorities, Sokolovski, who holds dual Lithuanian-Canadian citizenship, is accused of money laundering for the criminal group and purchasing luxury items for Wedding. His attorney, Scott Fenton, has argued that disclosing the identities of Sokolovski’s potential sureties could put them at significant risk.
On the other hand, Crown prosecutors have countered that there is no evidence of threats towards the sureties and that keeping them anonymous could hinder public understanding of the court’s decision on Sokolovski’s release. Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden is set to rule on this matter as Sokolovski’s bail hearing commences.
Sokolovski, also described as a professional poker player, jeweller, and procurer in his U.S. indictment, faces allegations from the U.S. Treasury Department of managing financial records for the organization and laundering drug proceeds through his jewelry business. Court records additionally claim that Sokolovski crafted a valuable necklace as payment for someone accused of assisting in a murder related to the case.
Ryan Wedding, believed to be evading capture in Mexico, is a top fugitive on the FBI’s list. Recently, a lawyer from the Toronto area, Deepak Paradkar, linked to the criminal network, was granted bail under strict conditions, with his wife and another relative serving as sureties. Paradkar is accused of providing advice on criminal activities to Wedding, introducing him to drug traffickers, and overseeing intelligence operations following drug seizures by law enforcement.