The three suspects charged in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar appeared in Surrey provincial court Tuesday, with dozens of Sikh community members both inside and outside the hearing.
香蕉视频直播淭he community was waiting 10 or 11 months for this day, so there香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of emotion in the community right now. People wanted to come and just be present,香蕉视频直播� Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the BC Gurdwaras Council, told reporters outside court.
Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh and Kamalpreet Singh appeared in court on Tuesday morning (May 7) after the three were arrested in Edmonton last week. All are facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the case of Nijjar, who was shot to death in the parking lot of the gurdwara he served as president for.
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All three charged suspects appeared virtually in orange jumpsuits.
Brar and Karanpreet Singh agreed through their lawyers to make their next appearance in Surrey court on May 21 at 9:30 a.m. by video. Meanwhile, Kamalpreet Singh香蕉视频直播檚 next appearance is yet to be determined as he seeks legal representation.
Community members outside came with flags and signs, with some reciting religious chants quietly under their breaths as they waited to hear about the next steps in the judicial hearing.
香蕉视频直播淲e come for him (Nijjar), we come for his family, we come for our people, so it香蕉视频直播檚 an important moment, but at the same time, some people thought today would香蕉视频直播檝e been more, but at a minimum we香蕉视频直播檙e very pleased that this process has started,香蕉视频直播� Moninder Singh said.
Nijjar was a known Sikh activist and president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara who was killed on June 18, 2023 in the parking lot of the temple. The 45-year-old was found in his truck suffering from gunshot wounds around 8:30 p.m. before succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
The three Edmonton men, who are Indian nationals, were arrested and charged on Friday, May 3.
香蕉视频直播淲e have a thing in Sikhi where there is not hatred. What they香蕉视频直播檝e done they have to pay for now, but our issue is still India. When I look at them, I don香蕉视频直播檛 see anything except a couple people that were hired to carry out something on behalf of India,香蕉视频直播� Moninder stressed.
Although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said there is credible evidence linking the Indian government to Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 killing, the possibility is still under investigation.
香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e still young at the moment, they had their whole lives ahead of them. This is something they香蕉视频直播檒l have to pay for, probably pay for the rest of their lives for what they香蕉视频直播檝e done and broken up a family up in the way they have and devastated a community,香蕉视频直播� Moninder added.
香蕉视频直播淔rom a public safety standpoint, we don香蕉视频直播檛 know what香蕉视频直播檚 coming next. These three today, maybe a different three a year from now, so we have to be wary of that as well.香蕉视频直播�
The community still believes there are more suspects out there, the spokesperson added, the possibility also echoed by investigators who are appealing to the public for more information.
The charges against the three men were announced Friday (May 3) at a police press conference, where assistant commissioner David Teboul, commander of the federal policing program in the Pacific region, said police would not be able to speak about evidence or motive. He said the case is 香蕉视频直播渟till very much under active investigation.香蕉视频直播�
Premier David Eby, in a statement issued Friday afternoon, said Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 murder has shaken the Sikh community in B.C., the larger South Asian community and Canadians across the country.
香蕉视频直播淭here is disbelief and anger in the community in addition to the terrible loss being felt by Mr. Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 family and loved ones,香蕉视频直播� Eby said.
香蕉视频直播淚 hope that (Friday香蕉视频直播檚) announcement of charges against three individuals is an important step towards justice for his family and accountability to the whole community.
香蕉视频直播淥n behalf of all British Columbians, thank you to police and the RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team for their months of diligent work. I understand the investigation doesn香蕉视频直播檛 end here and is ongoing.
香蕉视频直播淲e will support this process however we can, as these criminal proceedings continue.香蕉视频直播�