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Inderjit Singh Reyat, only person convicted in Air India bombing, released from halfway house

Click to play video: 'Air India bomber Inderjit Singh Reyat getting parole'
Air India bomber Inderjit Singh Reyat getting parole
Global News has learned Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only person ever convicted in connection with the Air India bombings of 1985, is being freed on parole. Rumina Daya reports – Jan 26, 2016

The only person convicted in the Air India bombing has been released from a halfway house and can now live wherever he chooses.

Inderjit Singh Reyat — who has spent most of his adult life behind bars — was convicted of perjury in 2010 for his testimony as a Crown witness at the 2003 trial of Ripudamen Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri.

Malik and Bagri were acquitted of mass murder and conspiracy charges in the June 23, 1985 bombing that sent an Air India jet into the Irish Sea, killing all 331 people aboard.

Reyat was sentenced to nine years, which is believed to be the longest prison sentence for perjury in Canadian history.

WATCH: From the Global BC Archive: Inderjit Singh Reyat is sentenced to nine years in prison for perjury. Brian Coxford reports.

Click to play video: 'Archive: Air India bomber sentenced for perjury'
Archive: Air India bomber sentenced for perjury

Last January, he was given a statutory release after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

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Reyat spent that time at a halfway house and told the parole board he has renounced violence and presents a low risk to public safety.

He can now return to living with his family. He is still subject to several parole board conditions, including not participating in political activities and having no contact with the victims’ families.

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In 2003 — as Malik and Bagri were on trial for murder — Reyat pleaded guilty to a third, single count of manslaughter for his role in the downing of Flight 182 and was called to testify at their trial.

 

WATCH: History of Air India Flight 182 bombing

Timeline of major events after Air India 182 and Narita Airport bombings

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– With files from The Canadian Press

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