Ashiqur Rahman, charged with manslaughter in the death of his baby daughter, was granted bail Tuesday morning.
A surety of $20,000 was posted, but Rahman’s lawyer Don Murray, wouldn’t say who provided the money.
“He will be allowed to live down in the Annapolis Valley and help me prepare for his trial,” Murray told reporters outside the courtroom.
Rahman faces a list of restrictions and one of them is to stay out of Wolfville where Jane Gomes, his former partner, lives.
Gomes was sentenced to six months probation and counselling for a lesser charge related to the death of their daughter last summer, and is scheduled to testify against Rahman in his February trial.
Chris Hansen, spokeswoman for the province’s Public Prosecution Service, said Rahman has never previously applied for bail and doesn’t have a criminal record.
“The Crown was satisfied he was no danger to the public,” she said. “Critical to any bail hearing, he had a release plan and he had a surety.”
Murray said his client feels “wonderful” about leaving the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside.
“Life in the Burnside jail has been very difficult for a number of people and it’s just not a good place to be.”
Rahman had been in jail since being charged in relation to the death of his seven-week-old daughter, Aurora Breakthrough. Aurora died at the IWK Health Centre on July 27, 2009.
Bail conditions
- Attend court for his trial.
- Reside at the home of Margaret Lalonde in Kentville
- Refrain from alcohol or drugs
- Report in person on Fridays to the RCMP in New Minas, except when in court.
- No contact with children under five years old except in the company of another adult.
- Notify the RCMP of any paid or voluntary employment or enrollment in a university.
- Have no contact with Jane Gomes or any other witnesses.
- Remain in Nova Scotia, and keep the peace.
- Not allowed to go to Wolfville
- Can’t apply for a passport
- Observe a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.
