Ex-hostage Boyle makes video court appearance

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canadian ex-hostage Joshua Boyle made a brief appearance via video link for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday after being charged with 15 offences, including sexual assault, following his release from captivity in Afghanistan.

A justice of the peace granted lawyer Ninetta Caparelli's request for adjournment until Monday so the defense can work on a bail plan.

Boyle had a beard and wore an orange jumpsuit in Wednesday's appearance, which lasted a few minutes.

Boyle, his wife Caitlan and their three children were freed in October in Pakistan, five years after the couple was abducted by a Taliban-linked militant group during a backpacking trip in neighboring Afghanistan. The children were born in captivity.