Black must await sentence in US

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Conrad Black cannot leave the US while he awaits sentencing for fraud and obstructing justice, a judge has ruled.

Canadian-born media tycoon Black was found guilty last month in Chicago of swindling shareholders while running newspaper firm Hollinger International.

He had asked to return to his Toronto home until 30 November, when he could be jailed for up to 35 years.

But Judge Amy St Eve said she thought Black would try to stay in his native country and fight extradition.

Separately, Hollinger's parent firm has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Hollinger Inc is the largest shareholder in the Chicago-based Sun-Times Media Group, formerly known as Hollinger International.

It is through this company that Black - then boss of Hollinger International - was accused of stealing millions of dollars from the newspaper empire's shareholders from the sale of hundreds of US and Canadian community newspapers.

Newspaper exit?

Black was found guilty in July on three fraud charges and one of obstruction of justice and must remain in Chicago and Florida until his sentencing.

Unable to serve his prison term in Canada because he abandoned his Canadian citizenship in 2001 to become a British peer, he faces 35 years in a US jail.

In 2004, he resigned as chairman of Hollinger Inc, which is now in administration.

The company is now trying to restructure its business to get the most value for its shareholders and the firm said it will press to sell its remaining newspaper assets, which includes the Chicago Sun-Times.