Ex-Mountie speaks outside foreign interference trial in Vancouver

A former Mountie who pleaded not guilty to a rare charge under Canada’s Security of Information Act spoke to reporters Thursday outside B.C. Supreme Court.

A day after a surprise end to the Crown’s case, the former RCMP officer facing a rare charge under the Security of Information Act spoke outside B.C. Supreme Court on Thursday.

William Majcher moved to Hong Kong nearly 20 years ago after retiring from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as an undercover financial crimes investigator, building a business as an advisor for companies and governments looking to recover stolen money.

Crown alleges he illegally worked for China’s government under their “Fox Hunt” initiative to repatriate economic fugitives who could face harsh consequences for their alleged crimes upon return. Investigators alleged he worked toward coercing a Vancouver businessman to return to China on bank fraud allegations.

“People who know me know it’s not true and I’ve had tremendous support from around the world,” he told reporters Thursday morning, with his wife at his side. “It’s already been a few surprises (in the trial), maybe a few more, but I really don’t have any insight that way.”

• Related: Ex-Mountie accused of helping China pleads not guilty at foreign interference trial

A day earlier, the Crown wrapped its case without calling its star witness, who was in the courthouse. Kim Marsh, another former Mountie and close friend of Majcher’s, was subpoenaed to testify but told CTV News he didn’t agree to a pre-interview with prosecutors.

Majcher has pleaded not guilty in a case where the details sound like they’re ripped from the pages of an international espionage thriller. He spent time in the U.S. working to bring down terrorists and cartels for financial crimes, which are outlined in a declassified “top secret” document detailing “Project Severo.”

• Related: Crown abruptly closes case against ex-Mountie accused of being bounty hunter for China

Presented in court, the RCMP report dated 2021 warns the officer in charge of the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team that Mounties probing Majcher were unsure if he was a CSIS asset or a national security risk.

Majcher has maintained he did nothing wrong and reiterated his relief that closing arguments would be presented to the judge on Friday so that she could render her verdict.

“I hope for not guilty,” he said. “I’m anxious to get home to my family.”