Toronto (Canada), February 7 (IF).- The former agent in charge of the Canadian Mounted Police's intelligence unit, Cameron Ortis, was sentenced on Wednesday to 14 years in prison for disclosing classified information.
Ortiz, who faces a 28-year prison sentence, was arrested in 2019 after police found confidential information in the possession of Vincent Ramos, a businessman involved in the production of encrypted mobile phones that were later used by criminal organizations.
Ortiz's trial, which concluded in November, was held in secret after the judge banned the media from following much of the case or publishing the evidence against the former client.
In addition, this is the first time that Canadian courts have sentenced an individual for violating the Canadian Information Security Act.
While reading the ruling, Judge Robert Marajner explained the unusual nature of the case by noting that Ortis was a “mystery” and that no one could determine why he disclosed the confidential information, because he had not received money in exchange.
“He did not receive any money from anyone. Why remains a mystery to me,” the judge said.
Marajner also alluded to the damage Ortiz had done to the country by suggesting that Canada's reputation with its partners in the Five Eyes alliance “will never be the same.”
Five Eyes is an alliance through which the intelligence services of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand exchange classified information.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced Wednesday at a press conference that “the charges are very serious” and that the ruling indicates that the judicial system “can hold accountable those who decide to violate certain basic obligations.” which has”.
Ortiz's lawyers announced that they intended to appeal the decision in which their client was found guilty of disclosing state secrets and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Evie
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