© The Canadian Press/Ryan RemiorzMontreal Mayor Michael Applebaum announces his resignation at a news conference in Montreal, Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Former Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum has permission to go on holiday outside the country, despite facing a number of criminal charges.
A member of his legal team said Applebaum got his passport back from authorities last week as he prepared for a 10-day trip, which was planned well before his arrest.
The prosecution and defence agree Applebaum does not represent a flight risk.
Defence lawyer Conrad Lord said he doesn't know where Applebaum is going next week, but that it's not a business trip. The veteran lawyer said a media report that Applebaum was "fleeing" to the Bahamas was false.
"He's not going to flee the country, he's not going to hide somewhere, he's not going to go live in a third country," Lord told reporters Thursday.
"Basically he's asking for what any defendant would ask under circumstances where trips were planned in advance."
Crown prosecutor Marie-Helene Giroux said it had been previously agreed that Appelbaum would be allowed to travel for a specific trip.
She was asked if she had any concerns about Applebaum leaving the country.
"Not at all," Giroux said.
It's common for the criminally accused to hand over a passport to limit travel, but it's not uncommon for the Crown to allow for specific travel. Applebaum was given back his passport to travel over a 10-day period.
His lawyer noted that his only address is in Quebec.
Applebaum faces 14 charges including fraud, conspiracy, breach of trust, and corruption in municipal affairs. He stepped down as interim mayor one day after his arrest by Quebec's anti-corruption unit.
Comment: Two Canadians inspired by al Qaeda ideology? Are they serious?
Pressure cooker bombs like those allegedly used at the Boston Bombings?
Timed to happen on the Canadians' equivalent to Patriots' Day?
Foiled thanks to an intel operation that had been monitoring the suspects for months?
If, like us, you're already smelling bullshit, that's because it is...
Strategy of Tension - Boston Marathon bombing