Finance Rates From
1.99%
2019
Visit us at www.suncountrytoyota.ca Toll Free
Dealer #25081
1-877-378-7800 • 1355 Cariboo Place • 250-828-7966
1.99% up to 36 months OAC. See dealer for details. Vehicle may not be exactly as shown. Model #DZ5BNT
kamloopsthisweek.com kamloopsthisweek kamthisweek
FRIDAY
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day TURN TO B1
JUNE 21, 2019 | Volume 32 No. 50
A TEARFUL REUNION
Missing for three days, Lorne Hamer-Jackson suddenly walked into his home Tuesday night, much to the relief of family and friends A3
DIGGING IN
World food challenge champ will take on the Reubinator A29
BENCH BOSSES
Marty Hastings says Blazers may have right coaching staff A35
WEEKEND WEATHER:
Sunny, then showers High 27 C Low 13 C
TRU PROFESSOR SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS David Scheffel found guilty on various charges related to his research into Romani people of Slovakia Thompson Rivers University professor David Scheffel is led away from court in handcuffs after being sentenced in Prešov, Slovakia, to seven years in prison. Scheffel was found guilty on charges of sexual abuse and illegal armament, though the 64-year-old maintains his innocence and suspects the accusations may have been fabricated by police in an attempt to discredit him and his research into the marginalized Romani people of the Eastern European country — research that has focused on rampant juvenile prostitution. TV MARKIZA PHOTO
MICHAEL POTESTIO
STAFF REPORTER
michael@kamloopsthisweek.com
Kamloops resident and Thompson Rivers University professor David Scheffel, who was facing a raft of charges in Slovakia, has been sentenced to seven years in prison, Slovakian media outlets are reporting. Earlier this week, a Slovakian court in Prešov found Scheffel guilty of sexual abuse and illegal weapon possession — an old unloaded rifle given to him by his father — and struck down charges concerning child pornogrophy, said Ivan Somlai, a friend and colleague of Scheffel’s who has been in contact with his lawyer. “On one hand, the court approved our claim that there was no crime related to child pornography, but on the other hand, the sexual abuse is problematic due to the circumstances under which it allegedly happened,” said Scheffel’s lawyer Daniel Lipšic, as quoted by TV Markíza. Scheffel, who is a permanent resident of Canada, but has Dutch citizenship, maintains his innocence.
He has spent years studying child prostitution in the Roma settlements of eastern Slovakia and believes the charges brought against him are trumped up and an attempt to brand an advocate of the Romani people as their enemy. Somlai said Scheffel and his lawyer have launched an appeal and intend to prepare the appellate brief
once the written decision is handed down by the end of the month. One of the main issues for the defence, Somlai said, is that while the court found the testimonies of minor witnesses credible, there was no opportunity for cross-examination. An article in the Slovak Spectator also noted the judge deciding on the case took into consideration only
the testimonies which had been done without Lipšic’s presence. “They do feel they have an extremely strong reason for a successful appeal,” Somlai said. Having stayed abreast of his friend’s case from Kamloops, Somlai said he hasn’t heard of any assistance coming from the Canadian government, despite having written
various letters to lawmakers, pointing out the assistance permanent residents like Scheffel are afforded. “Absolutely zero,” Somlai said when asked for government’s response. “I think the government is absolutely pre-occupied with China, with Huawei, with Trump — anything other than humanitarian assistance.” Somlai has also expressed frustration with local Conservative MP Cathy McLeod, who he described as being seemingly uninterested in communicating with regard to Scheffel. See SCHEFFEL, A6
Receive $50 off
Your First Month!
250-374-7368
www.budgetstorage.ca 820 Notre Dame Dr. Kamloops, B.C.
...and use our truck to move in! Easy Access • All units are heated Monitored security Fenced compounds Open every day except Christmas & New Year’s Day
*conditions apply, cannot be combined with any other offer