Manitoba Court of Appeal justices have reserved their decision on whether to quash an extradition order that would see a former Canadian fashion mogul sent to the United States.
Lawyers for Peter Nygard were in a Winnipeg courtroom to argue against the order that would send the 81-year-old south of the border once his Canadian court cases are settled.
Nygard was first arrested in Winnipeg in 2020 under the Extradition Act after he was charged with nine sex-related counts in New York.
He is facing similar charges in Toronto and Montreal, which are set to go to trial in September and next year.
Nygard’s lawyers are asking for federal Justice Minister David Lametti to ensure their client will not housed at a detention centre in Brooklyn they say has deplorable conditions unfit for someone who is aging and in poor health.
They also argued the racketeering charge shouldn’t be considered because Canada does not have a comparable offence.
Nygard waived his appearance at the appeal hearing and has maintained his innocence.