A young asylum seeker who snuck into Canada disguised as an old man says he was coached by smugglers before leaving China.
Testifying at his own detention review hearing today, the man said that "snakeheads" told him what to say when he arrived in Canada.
The man, who can't be named to protect his identity, says the smugglers told him to say he was a farmer with just an elementary school education.
Appearing for the first time at a refugee hearing in person, the young man testified that he finished senior high school and had only ever worked for a few months.
He told an adjudicator with the Immigration and Refugee Board that a family friend in Toronto is willing to put up a $5,000 bond for his release from custody.
A lawyer for the federal government opposes the man's release, saying there is concern that he's a flight risk.
The man boarded an Air Canada flight from Hong Kong last October wearing the elaborate mask then removed it during the flight, prompting a warning from Canada Border Services Agency.
