Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his decision to meet with Joshua Boyle, the former hostage now facing 15 criminal charges related to incidents that allegedly took place after his rescue from Pakistan.
Boyle, who along with his wife and three children was rescued from the clutches of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network last fall, is facing charges ranging from assault and sexual assault to forcing an individual to ingest a noxious substance.
Trudeau met with Boyle, his wife Caitlan Coleman and their three children in Ottawa around two weeks before Boyle’s arrest.
WATCH: Former terrorist hostage Joshua Boyle arrested on 15 criminal charges
On Friday, Trudeau was asked by Global National reporter Abigail Bimman if he was aware that Boyle was the subject of a police investigation before the meeting was arranged. Trudeau responded by saying all his meetings with Canadians are vetted by his national security advisers and intelligence agencies.
“I can tell you that we received full assurances from all our intelligence officials and agencies that the meeting could proceed,” he said. “More than that, you’ll have to talk to the officials involved.”
READ MORE: Ex-intelligence official reveals covert operation to free Boyle family from militants
Asked to address Boyle’s claim on Twitter that the pair previously met in 2006, Trudeau said he had “no memories”of any such meeting.
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Boyle is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, Jan. 15.