Pubdate: Mon, 13 Mar 2006
Source: Mcgill Daily, The (CN QU Edu)
Copyright: 2006 The Mcgill Daily
Contact:  http://www.mcgilldaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2638
Author: Tessa Vanderhart

STUDENT UNION PRESIDENT-ELECT ADMITS CRIMINAL PAST

A flurry of media coverage has characterized Garry Sran's election as
the University of Manitoba's Students' Union (UMSU) president: Sran
was charged with possession of drugs two years ago.

The details of Sran's criminal record became public in a story in the
Winnipeg Sun on March 1, the first day of the UMSU election, followed
by a story in the Winnipeg Free Press on March 2.

Sran's parole will end on May 1, the same day he assumes the role of
UMSU president.

"I was never associated with any of this; I was just at the wrong
place at the wrong time," said Sran.

In August 2003, charges were laid against Sran on different counts. He
was convicted of possession of drugs under the Controlled Substances
Act in May 2005, and spent the next four months in prison.

"I was convicted of a possession charge," said Sran. "I had to plead
guilty to a possession charge."

The other charges laid at this time, and confirmed by the Winnipeg
Police Service, included possession of 1 kg of crack cocaine, 1.4 kg
of cocaine, a sawed-off shotgun and almost $20,000 cash.

Sran was also implicated in a drive-by shooting in August 2003, but
charges were dropped when his confession was deemed to have been
improperly attained as documented by The Free Press.

"It's never been an issue before," said Sran. "I knew that it was an
issue that could come up, but the way it did was totally shocking to
me."

Sran said that most of what is published in those articles is untrue.

He has since contacted both The Free Press and The Sun, as well as
seeking a legal opinion about what was printed.

He said that rumours have been circulating about him, including one
that he was going to kill his campaign opponents, which he dismissed.

"I've never had possession of a gun or held a gun," said Sran.

He added that students should feel welcome to speak with him about
anything, even his past.

"It was a hard time in my life . . . . I don't want this to reflect
badly on me, so this is what students are going to have in their mind.
It's something that happened in the past, but it has never affected
me, ever, and it's not going to, so I want students to be clear on that."

Rachel Heinrichs, Sran's campaign manager, said that his criminal
record is a thing of the past, as students voted March 1 to 3 to elect
Sran with 70 per cent of the popular vote.

"I think students have shown that they're capable of being skeptical
of media information and that they can look at it and extract the
truth -- because obviously, they overwhelmingly chose Garry to be
President." 	
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