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Jian Ghomeshi Arrested: Ex-CBC Host Facing Sexual Assault Charges

Jian Ghomeshi Arrested

Jian Ghomeshi was arrested Wednesday in Toronto and is facing charges of four counts of sexual assault and one count of "overcome resistance - choking."

He appeared in court this afternoon. CBC's John Lancaster reported that Ghomeshi was "sitting alone in prisoner's box. White shirt, black blazer. Looks tired."

The Toronto Star reports Ghomeshi has been granted $100,000 bail on the conditions that he live with his mother, surrender his passport and not leave Ontario. Ghomeshi's next court appearance is Jan. 8.

Ghomeshi left the courthouse, pushing through a crush of media, without saying a word. But in a statement his lawyer Marie Henein said Ghomeshi will plead not guilty and that "we will not be making any further media statements."

The former CBC Q host has been under criminal investigation since Oct. 31 when two women, including "Trailer Park Boys" actress Lucy DeCoutere, filed official complaints with the Toronto police. The CBC reported at the time that "both women say they couldn't remain silent any longer and say they hope more alleged victims will come forward."

The following day, Nov. 1, a third woman filed a complaint with police.

The police have stayed largely silent since launching their sexual assault investigation, though Police Chief Bill Blair did say at a press conference on Nov. 6 that β€œI can tell you that a number of people have come forward, but all updates that will subsequently come with respect to that investigation will come from our sex crimes unit.”

Ghomeshi, 47, has previously denied the allegations.

Blair declined to discuss the details of the Ghomeshi charges with reporters on Wednesday morning as "that matter is before the courts" but he did send a message to all sexual assault victims.

"We encourage victims of any sexual assault to come forward and I want to offer them my assurance they will be treated with dignity and with respect. It's also important to recognize that it's their choice and we respect their choice."

According to the Criminal Code of Canada, the charge of "overcome resistance" involves attempts to "choke, suffocate or strangle another person...to render another person insensible, unconscious or incapable of resistance."

On Tuesday, Ghomeshi withdrew his $55 million lawsuit against the CBC.

This story is developing.

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