Federal Prosecutors Appeal Acquittal of Former RCMP Officer Accused of Aiding China
Federal prosecutors have launched an appeal against the high-profile acquittal of William Majcher, a former RCMP officer accused of aiding Chinese government foreign interference in Canada. The notice of appeal, filed late last week, asks the British Columbia Court of Appeal to overturn the May 13 acquittal and order a new trial.
Crown Argues Judge Erred in Rejecting Allegations
Canadian prosecutors contend that the judge made significant errors during the original trial. According to the Crown’s submission, obtained by Global News, the judge failed to consider all available evidence, misjudged key aspects of the case, and improperly excluded expert testimony that could have supported the prosecution’s theory that Majcher acted as a Chinese government agent.
Ian Donaldson, Majcher’s defense lawyer, confirmed the appeal was lodged on Thursday. The Crown prosecutor’s office did not respond to emailed questions regarding the decision to pursue the appeal.
Majcher Denies Any Wrongdoing
Majcher issued a statement to Global News on Sunday, asserting that the decision to appeal “appears to be unrelated to the evidence and the court’s findings.” He maintained his innocence, stating: “The verdict confirmed what I had maintained from the start: I did not commit a crime — period! The prosecution’s theory against me was rejected by the Supreme Court of British Columbia after a comprehensive review of the facts.”
Joel Etienne, the civil lawyer representing Majcher, argued that the public has legitimate grounds to question why the case is moving forward given the judge’s finding of insufficient evidence. “In our view, the appeal appears to lack substantive significance and risks becoming an exercise in institutional self-preservation rather than the pursuit of justice,” Etienne said, adding that the harm caused to Majcher, his family, and his businesses “cannot simply be ignored.”
Background of the Case
Majcher, who left the RCMP in 2007, relocated to Hong Kong to work in banking and private security. He was arrested upon arrival at Vancouver Airport in 2023. The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team had launched an investigation into him in 2021, accusing him of using his knowledge and contacts in Canada “to obtain intelligence information or services for the benefit of the People’s Republic of China.”
The RCMP further alleged that Majcher contributed to Chinese government efforts to identify and intimidate an individual “outside the scope of Canadian law.” His arrest came amid widespread reporting by Global News and the Globe and Mail about Beijing’s alleged interference in Canada’s political and domestic affairs.
Trial Narrowed to Single Email Exchange
When Majcher’s trial began in April, the case had been narrowed to a single count under the Security of Information Act, centered on an email exchange. The Crown alleged the messages concerned Kevin Sun, a Vancouver resident whom Chinese authorities accused of fleeing the country with tens of millions of dollars. Prosecutors argued Majcher participated in a 2017 conspiracy to pressure Sun to return to China.
However, the judge ultimately ruled that the Crown had not proven its case. She noted that Majcher’s company, which focused on white-collar crime and asset recovery services, appeared to have “entirely legitimate goals.” The ruling concluded that the Crown’s evidence was “completely circumstantial” and that it was “simply too far-fetched” to conclude Majcher had committed any crimes.
Broader Context of Chinese Interference Allegations
Majcher’s case is one of the few prosecutions in Canada related to alleged Chinese foreign interference, despite persistent concerns about Beijing’s efforts to meddle in Canadian elections, politics, and cultural institutions. His trial ended without a conviction, following a similar outcome in the cases of a Canadian Space Agency employee and a federal contractor who faced comparable charges and were also acquitted.
The Canadian Secret Service noted in its May 1 annual report that China remains a “major perpetrator of foreign interference and espionage against Canada.” However, Prime Minister Mark Carney has moved to deepen Canada’s ties with Beijing since taking office, seeking new trading partners amid strained relations with the United States.
