Byron Sonne emerged from a Toronto courthouse Wednesday afternoon free of shackles and the centre of a media frenzy.
And after almost a year in police custody, accused of collecting explosives and plotting to attack the G20 summit in Toronto, he seemed to enjoy the attention.
“I actually feel stronger than ever,” he said, repeatedly making victorious Vs with both hands.
Even the strict conditions imposed on his bail didn’t seem to faze him. Mr. Sonne is forbidden from leaving his parents’ house alone, cannot use social media – nor the Internet or computer unless it’s for work – and he can’t contact his now-estranged wife, Kristen Peterson, or a number of other people allegedly associated with G20 protests.
“I'm not in a position, I guess, to criticize that now. All this stuff will come out in the wash,” he said. “I'm looking forward to my trial and what happens then. I'm sure I'll be exonerated, and that everything will turn out for the best.”
In the crush of people leaving the University Avenue courthouse, Mr. Sonne wouldn’t comment on his upcoming trial, scheduled for November, or the charges that remain against him – possessing the chemicals used to create triacetone triperoxide, an explosive commonly associated with suicide bombing, and counselling others to commit mischief not committed.
“But I can tell you that I never had any plans to hurt anybody at all,” he said. “Ever.”
Mr. Sonne’s bail comes after two previously rejected attempts. His parents, Bue and Valerie Sonne, are his sureties, committing to a $250,000 recognizance with no deposit.
Mr. Sonne is to stay at their Brampton house, and cannot leave unless accompanied by one of them. He is to stay in Ontario, and surrender his passport and firearms licence. He can’t possess any explosives or firearms and can’t go near the Forest Hill home he used to share with Ms. Peterson.
Mr. Sonne was among the first of more than 1,000 people arrested in connection with the G20, and among the last to be released from custody. His arrest in the days before the summit weekend shocked friends, family and his former colleagues. The 38-year-old computer security analyst was known as a geek obsessed with surveillance, a hobbyist who collected DIY rocketry equipment and owned a potato gun. Friends called him an agent provocateur in the face of growing G20-related security.
But police pointed to his Twitter and Flickr accounts, where he posted detailed information on the security apparatus, tips on how to breach it and less-than-lionizing photos of police (“bacon on wheels” was how he titled one photo of an officer on a bicycle). He publicly announced he hoped to listen in on unencrypted police radio chatter.
Mr. Sonne was originally charged with possessing explosive substances, mischief, attempted mischief and possessing dangerous weapons, as well as the rare charge of intimidating justice officials.
All but the explosives charge were dropped earlier this year during pretrial hearings. An additional charge of counselling the commission of mischief not committed was added.
Despite the remaining charges and the strict bail conditions, his growing retinue of supporters saw this week’s decision as a victory.
“Oh, I'm very excited. Really, really happy,” said Valerie Sonne, as she tried to politely push her way through the querying crowd.
“Excuse me. I just want to go and hug him, if you don’t mind.”
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com
And after almost a year in police custody, accused of collecting explosives and plotting to attack the G20 summit in Toronto, he seemed to enjoy the attention.
“I actually feel stronger than ever,” he said, repeatedly making victorious Vs with both hands.
Even the strict conditions imposed on his bail didn’t seem to faze him. Mr. Sonne is forbidden from leaving his parents’ house alone, cannot use social media – nor the Internet or computer unless it’s for work – and he can’t contact his now-estranged wife, Kristen Peterson, or a number of other people allegedly associated with G20 protests.
“I'm not in a position, I guess, to criticize that now. All this stuff will come out in the wash,” he said. “I'm looking forward to my trial and what happens then. I'm sure I'll be exonerated, and that everything will turn out for the best.”
In the crush of people leaving the University Avenue courthouse, Mr. Sonne wouldn’t comment on his upcoming trial, scheduled for November, or the charges that remain against him – possessing the chemicals used to create triacetone triperoxide, an explosive commonly associated with suicide bombing, and counselling others to commit mischief not committed.
“But I can tell you that I never had any plans to hurt anybody at all,” he said. “Ever.”
Mr. Sonne’s bail comes after two previously rejected attempts. His parents, Bue and Valerie Sonne, are his sureties, committing to a $250,000 recognizance with no deposit.
Mr. Sonne is to stay at their Brampton house, and cannot leave unless accompanied by one of them. He is to stay in Ontario, and surrender his passport and firearms licence. He can’t possess any explosives or firearms and can’t go near the Forest Hill home he used to share with Ms. Peterson.
Mr. Sonne was among the first of more than 1,000 people arrested in connection with the G20, and among the last to be released from custody. His arrest in the days before the summit weekend shocked friends, family and his former colleagues. The 38-year-old computer security analyst was known as a geek obsessed with surveillance, a hobbyist who collected DIY rocketry equipment and owned a potato gun. Friends called him an agent provocateur in the face of growing G20-related security.
But police pointed to his Twitter and Flickr accounts, where he posted detailed information on the security apparatus, tips on how to breach it and less-than-lionizing photos of police (“bacon on wheels” was how he titled one photo of an officer on a bicycle). He publicly announced he hoped to listen in on unencrypted police radio chatter.
Mr. Sonne was originally charged with possessing explosive substances, mischief, attempted mischief and possessing dangerous weapons, as well as the rare charge of intimidating justice officials.
All but the explosives charge were dropped earlier this year during pretrial hearings. An additional charge of counselling the commission of mischief not committed was added.
Despite the remaining charges and the strict bail conditions, his growing retinue of supporters saw this week’s decision as a victory.
“Oh, I'm very excited. Really, really happy,” said Valerie Sonne, as she tried to politely push her way through the querying crowd.
“Excuse me. I just want to go and hug him, if you don’t mind.”
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com
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