Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Lawyers ask Amsterdam court to reduce Canadian 13-year cyberbullying sentence to Dutch citizen

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Jun, 2023 09:46 AM
  • Lawyers ask Amsterdam court to reduce Canadian 13-year cyberbullying sentence to Dutch citizen

AMSTERDAM (AP) — A 13-year sentence a Canadian court handed to a Dutch cyber bully in a notorious case involving a young girl who took her own life in 2012 should be reduced to four-and-a-half years in the Netherlands, a prosecutor in Amsterdam said Thursday.

Aydin Coban was convicted last year of extortion, harassment and other crimes in a case involving Canadian teenager Amanda Todd who was blackmailed to expose herself in front of a webcam. The 15-year-old died by suicide after detailing her ordeal in a YouTube video watched by millions around the world.

Coban was already serving an 11-year sentence in the Netherlands for similar crimes targeting 33 other victims when he was extradited to Canada to face trial in the Todd case.

His Canadian sentence is to be served in the Netherlands after he serves out his original prison term in August next year. It must first be converted into a sentence in accordance with Dutch law.

Coban was not in court for a hearing Thursday at Amsterdam District Court to convert the Canadian sentence.

Public prosecutor Kasper van der Schaft told judges that a Dutch court would normally hand a four-year sentence to Coban for the crimes he was convicted for in Canada. But he urged judges to impose an extra six months.

Van der Schaft acknowledged that Canadians who are familiar with the Amanda Todd case would be “shocked” that a 13-year sentence imposed in Canada would be reduced to around a third of that in the Netherlands.

Coban’s Dutch lawyer, Robert Malewicz, called the Canadian sentence “exorbitantly high, even by Canadian standards.”

He said that Coban should not get any extra prison time, but if he does it should be no more than one year with six months suspended. That would mean Coban would only have to serve an extra six months if he commits another offense.

Malewicz criticized Canadian authorities for releasing Coban's personal details, saying he now will forever be linked to the Amanda Todd case. Dutch authorities do not release full names or other identifying details about suspects in criminal cases.

“He will always be recognized,” Malewicz said. “That feels for him like a life sentence.”

The court said it would issue a decision on July 13. The sentencing ruling can be appealed in the Dutch Supreme Court.

The plight of Todd brought the problem of cyber bullying to mainstream attention in Canada.

In sentencing Coban last year, Canadian Justice Martha Devlin said that the “serious impact of the offences on Amanda was obvious to Mr. Coban and would have been obvious to anyone at the time."

She added that "ruining Amanda’s life was Mr. Coban’s expressly stated goal. Sadly, one that he achieved.”

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day
“As we celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day, we celebrate Canadians of all backgrounds, and we recommit to fostering an inclusive and welcoming society, where everyone has equal opportunity. Let’s stand together, united in our commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and equity for all.”

Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day

Largest grocers making more on food sales: competition watchdog

Largest grocers making more on food sales: competition watchdog
Most Canadians buy groceries in stores owned by a handful of grocery giants, with Canada’s three largest grocers — Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro — collectively reporting more than $100 billion in sales and $3.6 billion in profits last year, the study found.   

Largest grocers making more on food sales: competition watchdog

Provinces with existing dental coverage got smaller share of federal kids' benefit

Provinces with existing dental coverage got smaller share of federal kids' benefit
Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Yukon all cover at least basic dental care for children — and received less funding than the national average. The only other provinces to fall below the national average were British Columbia and New Brunswick.

Provinces with existing dental coverage got smaller share of federal kids' benefit

Infrastructure at centre of Western Canada premiers' meeting in Whistler, B.C.

Infrastructure at centre of Western Canada premiers' meeting in Whistler, B.C.
Host Premier David Eby says he and his counterparts from western provinces and territories agree on calling on the federal government to boost infrastructure funding, given the increased stresses on transportation grids across Western Canada.

Infrastructure at centre of Western Canada premiers' meeting in Whistler, B.C.

Faith of Canadians in Biden, U.S. slipped in the spring, Pew survey suggests

Faith of Canadians in Biden, U.S. slipped in the spring, Pew survey suggests
But there are clear signs — both in Canada and around the world — that early into his third year as the 46th U.S. president, the global euphoria that greeted Joe Biden's election win in 2020 has drifted from optimism to apprehension. 

Faith of Canadians in Biden, U.S. slipped in the spring, Pew survey suggests

Coquitlam RCMP need public's help in locating missing man Harman Dhaliwal

Coquitlam RCMP need public's help in locating missing man Harman Dhaliwal
Coquitlam RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing man, 32-year old Harman Dhaliwal. Harman was last seen on Sunday, June 25, 2023 leaving his residence near Como Lake Avenue and Blue Mountain Street in Coquitlam at 10:00 a.m.  

Coquitlam RCMP need public's help in locating missing man Harman Dhaliwal