Toronto Airport Gold Heist Mastermind Claims Memory Loss Due to Trauma
Arsalan Chaudhary cites PTSD and poor prison conditions as barriers to court testimony.
1Heist Mastermind Faces Court
Arsalan Chaudhary, a convicted organizer of the 2023 Toronto airport gold heist, is currently testifying against co-accused Parmpal Sidhu. The theft involved over $22 million in gold and cash stolen from an Air Canada cargo warehouse. Prosecutors are attempting to extract details regarding the operation, but the witness claims his memory is severely compromised.
2Trauma and Memory Claims
Chaudhary attributes his inability to recall key details to severe PTSD resulting from a kidnapping in Pakistan. He alleges that Pakistani police abducted and tortured him to recover his 30 percent share of the stolen loot. He claims these psychological scars and night terrors have effectively blocked his ability to remember specific events.
3Prosecution Frustration in Court
Crown prosecutor Jelena Vlacic faced significant challenges during the initial testimony as Chaudhary failed to identify phone numbers, messages, or contacts. He denied familiarity with encrypted chats on Signal and WhatsApp, including a group titled Let’s Roll. The witness also dismissed debt lists seized by police as fabricated documents created for his kidnappers.
4Prison Conditions and Medication
The witness cited his recent transfer from Collins Bay federal prison to the Maplehurst Correctional Complex as a major factor in his mental state. He reported living in a cramped cell with three others and stated he has been denied necessary medication for three weeks, further impairing his cognitive function and memory recall.
5Challenging the Witness Testimony
Prosecutor Vlacic expressed growing frustration with the lack of cooperation and considered requesting permission to cross-examine her own witness. Judge Gordon Cudjoe denied the request to proceed with cross-examination immediately, advising the prosecution to continue questioning. The court remains focused on establishing links between the accused and the stolen cargo.
6Specific Evidence Under Scrutiny
The court examined a 34-page printout of text messages and debt breakdowns seized by Peel Regional Police. Despite the evidence, Chaudhary maintained he did not recognize the name Hulk, which appeared in both group chats and debt lists. He insisted that most individuals charged in the heist were unaware of the actual plan.
7Proposed Solutions for Testimony
Chaudhary suggested that returning to Collins Bay would allow him to access his medication and belongings, potentially improving his mental clarity. He also proposed testifying via video link rather than in person to reduce stress. These requests were presented as necessary conditions for him to provide the testimony required by the Crown prosecutors.
8Judicial Order for Continuity
Judge Cudjoe ordered that Chaudhary be returned to Collins Bay to receive his medication and proper rest. The court expects the witness to resume testimony on Monday. This procedural pause highlights the complexities of relying on compromised witnesses in high-stakes criminal trials involving significant logistical security breaches at major international airports.