The Dutch man accused of extorting and harassing British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd more than a decade ago has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges.
Aydin Coban appeared before a judge and jury in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster today.
He pleaded not guilty to extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence and possession of child pornography.
Todd died by suicide in October 2012.
The jury heard that the charges against Coban stem from his alleged communication with Todd between November 2009 and February 2012.
Amanda Todd’s mother told reporters outside the courtroom that while she’s been preparing for this day for 10 years, it’s still overwhelming.
“I’m going to hear stuff related to my daughter that will be hard,” said Carol Todd. “I plan to be in the courtroom every day for the next seven weeks when I can.”
Todd hopes the vast media attention on the trial will help educate other families about online exploitation and sextortion.
“I didn’t think it would ever happen to us and it did so that can happen to every single family around and I want that message to be out there so we can learn from Amanda’s story,” she said.
Coban has been in custody since he was extradited to Canada in December 2020. His lawyers today urged the public to keep an open mind.
“All of the people who’ve heard about this story who think they know what this is about who’ve read things or heard things that just might not be accurate, that’s where I hope people can keep an open mind and actually listen to the evidence at trial,” said defence lawyer Joseph Saulnier.
The jury trial is expected to last seven weeks.
The Canadian Press
April Lawrence
