Politics

Cameron Ortis back in court Sept. 27 on spy charges

The lawyer for Cameron Ortis, the RCMP intelligence director accused of preparing to share state secrets, says he's still waiting for key information.

Defence lawyer Ian Carter says he only has an initial synopsis of the case against Ortis

Cameron Ortis at his first court appearance in Ottawa on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. The civilian employee with an RCMP intelligence team faces several charges under the Security of Information Act. (Sketch by Laurie Foster-MacLeod for CBC News)

The lawyer for Cameron Ortis, the RCMP intelligence director accused of preparing to share classified secrets, says he's still waiting for key information.

Last week, Cameron Ortis, 47, was charged under the Security of Information Act.

The director general of the RCMP's national intelligence co-ordination centre is accused of preparing to share sensitive information with a foreign entity or terrorist organization. He's also charged with sharing operational information back in 2015.

Defence lawyer Ian Carter said he only has an initial synopsis of the case against Ortis and is expecting to receive more disclosure early next week.

Ortis, who appeared in court today by video in an orange jumpsuit and thick dark-rimmed glasses, will be back in court Sept. 27 to set a bail hearing.

He was solemn and quiet, saying only "Yes, your honour I understand," and "Thank you."

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki has called the allegations "extremely unsettling."

According to documents viewed by CBC, the cache of classified intelligence material Ortis allegedly was preparing to share is so vital to Canada's national security that the country's intelligence agencies say its misuse would strike at the heart of Canada's security.

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