Air India bombing convict may be released in 2 weeks

Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only man convicted in Air India bombing, who is facing perjury charges may be out of prison in two weeks when he completes his present prison term on February 9.

Reyat on Wednesday was expected to plead guilty on charges of perjury related to his testimony at Air India trial, but his lawyer sought more time to prepare defence. The court adjourned the hearing till March 7.

The Crown's lawyer Geoff Gaul declined to comment if there will be any last minute motions to keep Reyat behind bars.

Reyat's lawyer Ian Donaldson on Wednesday submitted before the court that he had not been able to talk to his client, who is in Matsqui prison in Abbotsford, British Columbia, which was locked down following a riot there last weekend.

Reyat pleaded guilty to manslaughter five years ago for his role in the 1985 Air India bombing that killed 329 people.

He had been convicted in 1991 for building a second bomb that exploded the same day at Tokyo's Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers.

Both bombs were checked in at Vancouver International Airport and tagged for Air India flights heading in opposite directions around the globe.

The two other accused, Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik, were acquitted on all counts three years ago.

The perjury trial was supposed to start February 4, but Reyat's lawyer said he need more time.