Ex-RCMP officer charged with foreign interference looks to quash charges

A former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference is asking the court to quash the indictment over a jurisdictional issue.

Lawyers for William Majcher argued in a courtroom in Longueuil, Que. that the charges should have been filed in British Columbia or Ontario.

«Those are two place in Canada where the offences are alleged to have been committed,» said Louis Belleau, a Montreal-based attorney representing Majcher, who attended Monday's hearing by video conference.

«Nothing connects the case to Longueuil.»

If the application to quash is granted, it would put an end to the Quebec proceedings.

Majcher, 61, is charged under the Security of Information Act with conspiracy and with committing preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity.

Authorities allege Majcher, a resident of Hong Kong, used his network of Canadian contacts to obtain intelligence or services that benefited the People's Republic of China. His charge sheet says he committed the crimes in Vancouver, Toronto, Hong Kong and other unnamed places in Canada, China and «elsewhere in the world.»

His lawyers say a prosecution must be initiated in a jurisdiction with a specific connection to the crime or the alleged offender.

«Clearly, we're not seeking a stay of proceedings or any other type of order that would put an end to the prosecution of Mr. Majcher,» Belleau said.

«The Crown will remain free to lay a charge where we believe the charge should have been laid in the first place.»

Belleau told the court the defence asked the Crown to stay the Quebec case and charge Majcher in B.C., but prosecutors denied that request.

The Crown says a judge from any jurisdiction in Canada can hear cases involving the Security of Information Act.

Majcher was