Applebaum's passport returned by court

Montreal's former mayor had hispassport returnedby the courtso he can go on vacation.

Michael Applebaum surrendered the document afterhe was arrested in Juneon charges of fraud and breach of public trust.

Last week, his lawyer made a request to the Crown's office that it be returned. That request was granted, andApplebaum is expected to leave town next week for 10 dayson a trip that had been scheduled before the former mayor's arrest last month.

"We don't fear that he will not come back," Crown prosecutor Marie-Hlne Giroux said today.

Applebaum's case was briefly back in court today as lawyers argued over sealed search warrants.

Conrad Lord, Applebaum's attorney, wants those documents to remain sealed.

Lawyers representing the media have argued they should be accessible.

A decision on that issue isn't expected today.

The former mayor did not appear in the courtroom today.

Applebaum is charged with 14 offences including fraud, corruption and breach of trust.

The province's anti-corruption unit, UPAC, has said the charges relate to the obtaining of permission and political support for two real estate projects in Montreal's Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce borough between 2006 and 2011, during which time Applebaum was the borough's mayor.

Applebaumwas elected interim mayorafterGerald Tremblay resigned amidmounting allegations aboutcollusion and illegal fundraising in his Union Montreal party.

He stepped downseven months later, a day after the charges were laid. Applebaum has maintained his innocence.