assport to IF YOU are caught doing something naughty, like forging and selling passports, make sure you come up before B.C. Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Patrick Dohm, who is full of the milk of human kindness. The judge sentenced an Iranian passport expert to all of three months, to be served at home with an electronic beeper. The fortunate Siamak Ashrafinia had sold the pass- ports to RCMP undercover agents, But iet’s not be too hard on him, it was suggested. For one thing, he is deaf. And the judge quoted the defence lawyer, who said, “The accused became involved because he was try- ing to assist persons trying to leave Iran, a place which is difficult to leave.” But not too difficult for Ashrafinia, who seems to have left it twice. Once in the 1970s and again six years ago. It would seem that this crock was one of the world’s downtrodden, coming from Iran and all that. I'm in tears. The considerate court went on to say that Ashrafinia was “just a spoke in the wheel of a larger passport forgery Opera- tion.” Does being a “spoke” mean you are at an advantage if you are up befare the beaks? Is it OK to forge pass- Dou Collins ports these days as long as there are bigger fish in the background? Mind you, we have His Honor's word for it that Ashrafinia’s was a serious offence. It must be, too, because the maximum sen- tence is 14 years. Bring out the violins, please. for his lawyer said that his client would experience hardship in jail on account of his ears not working too well. He wouldn't be able to use the phone, for example. My ears don’t work too well, either. I have to keep asking Grey Eyes what she said. Remind me to point that out if 1 am caught forging passports. Ashrafinia is part of the endless “refugee” flood, by the way. So drop Ottawa a note of thanks for its humani- tarjan instincts. Since arriving in this dumb country for the second time six years ago he has been on welfare. Not to worry, though. His ever upbeat lawyer said his boy is looking forward to get- ting gainful employment. Isn't forging passports gainful employment? i would think that $1,500 for one job and $1,200 for another is very gainful. And the work could- at have taken more than a few minutes because he was described as an artist who has displayed his work in Stanley Park. What was he displaying? Passports? Another mitigating cir- cumstance, perhaps, was that this addition to our Great Society was “induced” to do what he did. If you commit a crime that can get you up to [4 years, make sure that you were “induced” to do it. Since he is on welfare we can assume he got legal aid. One more little expense for taxpayers who are not in the passport business, That's probably not the end of the aid, either, because Ashrafinia has also been charged with fraudulently becoming a Canadian citizen in 1994 after having been deported in 1975. Trial is pending. His lawyer complained that “for some reason,” his man has received a lot of media attention in North Vancouver. I wonder what that reason could be? Reform MP Ted White states in a letter to the editor that passport forgery could become one of the most prof- itable cottage industries ever. _ High profits, no need for busi- ness licences, no income MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS If you wish to sell your vehicle directly to Mercedes Benz or if you would like a current - evaluation of your vehicle, please contact the Sales Manager at your convenience. Win this 1996 FLSTC Heritage Softall Classic, a motorcycle styled to recall the past |. and because we want you to drive safely, the BC Safety Council cence certification program 1s included. Value $24,365 GRAND PRIZE DRAW DATE MAY 3, 1006 Proceeds go towards equipping the new Capilano College 350-scal performance theatre... a theatre dlesigniect to serve both the College and the copsmnunity. nn Incredible odds! Only 6,200 tickets can be sold! ly Capilano Collage —