A former RCMP officer facing charges for allegedly assisting China in foreign interference is seeking to have the indictment dismissed due to a jurisdictional issue.
William Majcher’s lawyers argue that Quebec is not the appropriate venue for the case, insisting that the charges should have been brought in the province where the alleged offenses took place.
They are requesting that a Quebec court judge dismiss the indictment and require the Crown to file charges in either British Columbia or Ontario.
Majcher, 61, is accused under the Security of Information Act of conspiring and engaging in preparatory acts on behalf of a foreign entity.
Authorities claim that Majcher, a resident of Hong Kong, utilized his Canadian connections to obtain intelligence or services that benefited the People’s Republic of China.
The federal Crown argues that in cases involving the Security of Information Act, a judge from any jurisdiction has the authority to preside over the case.
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Majcher was investigated by RCMP officers in Quebec, and federal prosecutors from the province initiated legal proceedings against him.
He was apprehended in Vancouver in July and later released on bail following a ruling by a Longueuil, Que. judge. While Majcher has not yet entered a plea, his attorney has indicated his intention to plead not guilty to the charges.
A decision on Majcher’s motion is expected next month, ahead of the scheduled trial dates in October.
