Former RCMP officer charged with foreign interference granted bail

A former RCMP officer charged with two counts of foreign interference has been granted bail by a Quebec judge.

A former RCMP officer charged with two counts of foreign interference has been granted bail by a Quebec judge.

William Majcher took part in a brief court hearing Tuesday by speaker phone. He was calling in from a British Columbia jail because he was unable to connect via video call due to technical issues. Majcher has been in custody since last Thursday.

Majcher, a 20-year veteran of the RCMP who currently lives in Hong Kong, faces two charges for alleged offences under the Security of Information Act.

The RCMP allege "he used his knowledge and his extensive networks of contacts in Canada to obtain intelligence or services to benefit the People's Republic of China."

The force also claims he "contributed to the Chinese government's efforts to identify and intimidate an individual outside the scope of Canadian law."

Although Tuesday's hearing was held to establish bail conditions, Majcher's lawyer Ian Donaldson told the judge that he plans to plead not guilty.

Speaking to reporters following the bail hearing, Crown prosecutor Marc Cigana said he wouldn't discuss the facts of the case but added the charges are "serious."

"The Security of Information Act is serious business," he said. "Any offence under the act is serious and involves national security."

Majcher was granted bail on several conditions, which include paying $50,000, surrendering his passport and staying in a specific residence in Vancouver.