3 accused in Nijjar killing make first court appearance in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared virtually in court Tuesday morning in Surrey.
Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar are facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Brar and Karanpreet Singh's next appearances were set for May 21, while Kamalpreet Singh is still without a lawyer and will return to court on an undetermined date.
Brar and Karanpreet Singh have no contact orders in relation to seven individuals that will continue in advance of the trial, the cuort heard.
Dozens of supporters for Nijjar who was gunned down in June of last year outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey gathered at the courthouse.
“We want to show them that we can’t be silenced in the wake of this type of violence”, says Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the gurdwara, who was in the courtroom.
“The anger and frustration will always be there, it’s very difficult to get over this as a community with such a high-profile charismatic leader that we had."
The three suspects were arrested Friday in Edmonton before being transported to B.C.
In September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons that credible intelligence suggested that the Indian government played a role in the killing, which it denies.
Police who announced the arrests last week said investigations about a possible connection to foreign interference will continue.
Nijjar was a key advocate for an independent Sikh state in Punjab and was regarded by the country’s government as a terrorist.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Man convicted in attack on Pelosi's husband back in court after judge's error
A man who assaulted U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022 will have another day in court on Tuesday after the federal judge overseeing the case failed to allow him to speak during his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.