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Update: Bail posted for Olds dentist, 14 others detained in Ethiopia

Bail has been posted, but return to Canada unknown
MVT Ord
Lindsay and Jared Ord, both with Olds Dental Health Clinic, pictured before they left for a 2016 trip to Ethiopia. The pair, and their two children made the trip again last month. Jared Ord is one of 13 Canadian aid workers detained in Ethiopia. File photo/MVP Staff

Editor's note: This article has been updated throughout.
 

OLDS – Canadian Humanitarian confirmed today that bail has been posted for all of the organization's 15 volunteers and staff, which includes Olds dentist Dr. Jared Ord after having been detained in an Ethiopian prison since Feb. 29.

Ethiopian authorities have suggested the detainees may need to remain in Ethiopia while an investigation is completed, according to a statement from Canadian Humanitarian.

"With support of Canadian consular officials, Global Affairs Canada and legal representatives on the ground, Canadian Humanitarian ca confirm that documentation is currently being processed that will hopefully see the detainees released on bail tomorrow.  At that point they will be free to move within the country, but it is uncertain when Ethiopian authorities will allow their return to Canada," the statement reads.

The group was detained on allegations that they were practicing medicine without permission and had dispensed expired medication

Lindsay Ord confirmed earlier this week that her husband Jared was one of the 13 Canadians detained.

"Myself and two of our children were there as well, and we are safely home now," she said on Monday, March 2.

“I was with him when it happened. I have been able to be a little bit in contact with him but not directly. He’s OK and we are working hard to get him home.”

The Ords, along with their son and daughter were in Ethiopia with the Alberta-based non-political organization Canadian Humanitarian.

In a press release, Canadian Humanitarian confirmed that a group of 15 medical professional volunteers, general volunteers, and Canadian Humanitarian staff members have been detained in the city of Gondar in western Ethiopia.

“The group that is detained consists of 10 Canadian volunteers, three Canadian staff members, and two Ethiopian staff members,” the release states.

“As of right now they are being investigated on allegations that they were practicing medicine without permission and had dispensed expired medication.”

The group said that although “we cannot comment on the specifics of the expiry of the medication, we can with confidence say that all medicine and care offered by our team was safe.”

Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy in Ethiopia are reportedly working with officials from the government of Ethiopia to resolve the situation.

An official list of those Canadians detained has not been released.

The family was in east Africa with other Canadian dentists and dental hygienists to provide medical care to local residents.

Canadian Humanitarian has been licenced as a charitable NGO in Ethiopia since 2012.

The Ords had twice earlier travelled to Ethiopia with Canadian Humanitarian.

“To respect the privacy of our volunteers and staff, we are not releasing any more information at this time,” the release states.

Lindsay Ord said the family is hopeful Dr. Ord will be released soon.

“I miss him and I love him and we are hopeful that we will see him soon,” said Lindsay.

- With files from Lea Smaldon

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