TORONTO — An Ontario man charged in a police sweep targeting alleged associates of fugitive Ryan Wedding is asking the court to protect the identities of the individuals proposed as his bail sureties, citing potential safety risks.
Lawyers for Rolan Sokolovski filed an application ahead of his bail hearing next week, seeking a publication ban on any information that could identify those willing to supervise him if released.
Sokolovski is among several Canadians facing extradition to the United States following an FBI-led investigation into Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder accused of leading a violent international drug trafficking network. U.S. authorities allege Sokolovski laundered drug proceeds and purchased luxury items for Wedding.
Defence lawyer Scott Fenton argued that revealing the identities of proposed sureties could expose them to “great dangers.” Crown prosecutors countered that there is no evidence of threats to sureties and said anonymity would limit public understanding of the court’s bail decision.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Peter Bawden is expected to rule on the application Monday, when Sokolovski’s bail hearing begins.
According to U.S. court documents, the 37-year-old dual Lithuanian-Canadian citizen is described as a professional poker player, jeweller, and procurer. He is also subject to U.S. Treasury Department sanctions, which allege he laundered drug money through his jewelry business.
Court filings further allege Sokolovski created a bejewelled necklace used as payment for an alleged hitman connected to the murder of a federal witness. Wedding, believed to be hiding in Mexico, remains on the FBI’s most-wanted list.
The case follows a recent Toronto-area decision granting bail to another accused associate, lawyer Deepak Paradkar, under strict conditions including 24-hour house arrest, with family members acting as sureties.