A convicted attempted murderer who provoked a political controversy earlier this year after he was photographed with Sophie Gregoire Trudeau during a government trip to India faces new charges.
Surrey RCMP confirmed to 麻豆传媒 that Jaspal Atwal was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm in connection with an alleged incident on April 23.
He is expected to appear in court next on May 24, 2018.
Sources tell CTV Vancouver that the man charged is the same man who appeared in the photograph with the prime minister鈥檚 wife.
Atwal was convicted in 1986 of trying to kill an Indian cabinet minister who was visiting B.C. for a wedding. He was later charged, but not convicted, for an attack in 1985 on former Liberal cabinet minister and B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh.
In February, Atwal was photographed in Mumbai with officials from Canada鈥檚 delegation, including Gregoire Trudeau. Atwal was also invited to a second event at the Canadian High Commissioner to India鈥檚 residence in Delhi, but his invitation was later rescinded.
Atwal 鈥渇or any embarrassment鈥� he caused to the country in the scandal. He said he had 鈥渘othing but regret and remorse鈥� for his criminal behavior and deserved the punishment he received.
As for attending the events in India, Atwal said he didn鈥檛 think it would be a problem.
Atwal鈥檚 invitation raised questions about security protocols exercised by the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national security adviser Daniel Jean, who briefed reporters on the Atwal incident, suggested at the time that rogue elements of the Indian government may have attempted to damage Trudeau鈥檚 diplomatic trip.
Jean in a highly anticipated public testimony at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee. He denied placing specific blame on the Indian government but said 鈥渃o-ordinated misinformation鈥� was being disseminated by private citizens or potentially members of the Indian government acting without authority.
Jean added that Atwal was not believed to pose a security risk. Instead, he was seen as a possible 鈥渃ontroversy that could erupt.鈥�
Atwal is expected to appear in court to face the new charges on May 24.
With files from CTV Vancouver and The Canadian Press
