Karim Baratov, the Canadian charged in connection with a massive Russian hacking scheme, has been denied bail.

The Crown, represented by Department of Justice attorney Heather Graham set out three grounds for Baratov to be remanded until his extradition hearing.

Firstly, he is a flight risk, Graham argued, because of his large amount of available funds, his alleged ties to Russian officials, and the severe prison term he could face if convicted.

Secondly, said Graham, there is a strong chance that Baratov could commit crimes while on bail. Graham pointed to 80 websites that U.S. Investigators say Baratov has maintained for the purposes of hacking, beyond the alleged Russian intelligence scheme.

Thirdly, Graham argued that keeping Baratov in custody was a matter of preserving public trust in the effectiveness of the justice system.

The onus was on Baratov’s lawyers to counter all three of Graham’s arguments.

In his decision, Justice Alan Whitten said Baratov’s lawyers had failed to do so.

“Why would (Baratov) stick around?” wrote Whitten.

“Baratov is a flight risk. He could instantaneously access the necessary funds... He can ply his trade from anywhere on the world.”

Baratov’s parents had pledged to watch their son 24 hours a day and ensure he did not use any electronic devices. They also proposed getting Baratov an electronic tracking bracelet.

The judge, in his decision, said he found neither of those suggestions convincing.

Whitten questioned the “effectiveness” of Baratov’s parents’ ability to supervise him, noting that Baratov allegedly began the hacking for which he is charged while still living in the family home.

“There is no suggestion of any probing questions by parents of son,” Whitten wrote.

“There is no way that a prohibition against Internet access is effective,” he added. “There is a demand for his skills. Mischief is inevitable.”

The tracking bracelet would neither keep Baratov off the internet, nor would it provide instant alerts to the authorities, the judge said.

Whitten also wondered, in his decision, what the Canadian public would think of the administration of justice if Baratov were released on bail.

“Would they be surprised that Baratov, like Houdini who escaped from his straightjacket, took to flight? Not very likely.”

On the steps of the courthouse just minutes after the decision was issued, Baratov’s defence lawyer Amadeo Dicarlo said he had not yet gone through all the details of the decision.

“Our argument was solid, our plan was solid. I don’t think that matters. I think it was a lot of other things that are in (the decision),” he said.

The defence team will have to read the judge’s ruling in its entirety before they decide whether to appeal, Dicarlo added.

Baratov’s parents declined to speak to reporters at any point during or after the hearing.

“It’s been a long several weeks to get up to this point,” said Dicarlo of their decision not to speak. “I think all of us need to collect our thoughts, regroup and work on a new gameplan.”

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Baratov is scheduled to return to court on May 26 to be spoken to about the next steps in his case.

Graham said American authorities must now make a formal application to Canada’s Minister of Justice, requesting Baratov’s extradition.

That application is expected around May 13, she said.

Once the Minister approves the application, a date for an extradition hearing must be set. Graham said the Crown would be ready to proceed by June 12 and that a hearing could happen “shortly after that.”

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