The Canadian Press
March 18, 2004

VANCOUVER (CP) _ An FBI agent testified Thursday he altered a document that has become evidence in the Air India trial to protect a source.

Agent Ronald Parrish said he deliberately changed an internal FBI intelligence document on the Air India crash and the altered document was sent to RCMP in Ottawa.

In the original memo, Parrish quotes his source as blaming the bombing on Ajaib Singh Bagri, who is currently standing trial.

But in a telex sent to Ottawa, Parrish altered it to blame the crash on members of the Babbar Khalsa, a group Bagri belonged to that was later labelled a terrorist organization.

Michael Code, who is Bagri's defence lawyer, seized on the altered document while cross-examining Parrish.

He also questioned why Parrish took no tape recordings or direct notes from his meetings with the source, who Parrish testified he met with almost daily.

"There wasn't a requirement to maintain the notes,'' Parrish replied.

"I wasn't expecting to testify.''

Parrish's source is an American who is testifying against Bagri at the trial. His name is banned from publication.

The witness is testifying after being paid $460,000 by RCMP. He cannot be compelled to testify in Canada.

The original of the altered memo came to light only recently, though the altered telex that was sent to RCMP has long been known about.

Parrish's testimony has been interrupted several times by confidential discussions between the judge, Crown, and defence over what FBI documents can be discussed and what must remain sealed from the public.

In court Thursday, Code brandished a fat binder of documents relating to the Air India investigation and Parrish's informant.

But Parrish, who retired before the case came to trial, said he hasn't reviewed the whole file.

Instead, he said he's been briefed by an agent who has reviewed the file.

"So you didn't personally review the documents?'' Code asked.

"No I did not,'' Parrish responded.

"And you don't personally have any recollection of this?''

"No.''

"So you are repeating double hearsay of what somebody in the United States who has the file told your colleagues here, who then told you.''

"Correct,'' Parrish said.