Conrad Black returned to a Chicago courtroom Thursday afternoon for a bail hearing where prosecutors will argue the former media tycoon should be locked up until he's sentenced at the end of November.

Black was accompanied to court by his wife, Barbara Amiel Black, and his daughter, Alana.

Conrad Black, former head of Hollinger International Inc., arrives for his bail hearing with his wife Barbara Amiel on Thursday.
(Jerry Lai/Associated Press)

A jury convicted Montreal-born Black and three former Hollinger executives of three counts of mail fraud and Black of obstruction of justice in Chicago last week. Black intends to appeal the verdict.

Prosecutors have said Black's conviction should carry a sentence of at least 15 to 20 years and argue he should be kept in jail because he's a flight risk.

Many observers think Judge Amy St. Eve will let Black remain free but make him add money to the existing $21-million bail bond.

The judge could add other conditions, including that he wear an ankle bracelet so he can be monitored.

But she could also slap restrictions on his travel outside of Chicago. 

Black's defence team has said that the businessman will definitely return to court in Chicago because he wants to appeal his conviction and clear his name.

Black would await sentencing in Toronto: lawyer

At Thursday's hearing, Lawyer Eddie Greenspan told St. Eve he had "no doubt" that his client would return to Chicago for sentencing if he were granted bail and was allowed to travel to Toronto.

Conrad Black walks across the street with his wife Barbara Amiel and daughter Alana upon his arrival for his bail hearing on Thursday.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

He said Black, who renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001 in order to become a British citizen and accept a seat in the British House of Lords, was last in Canada under a temporary resident permit. That permit expires on Nov. 27 — three days before his sentencing hearing.

Black has been told he can return to Canada and will have his permit extended, Greenspan said, but will be afforded no special rights.

Greenspan added that Canadian border officials have said they will hold Black's passport as soon as he crosses the border and give it back only when he needs to return to Chicago.

"The moment he comes through our customs, at that place, they'll take it," said Greenspan, who is based in Toronto.

Black had to surrender his British passport following his conviction.

Many expect judge to demand Chicago stay

Hugh Totten, a Chicago lawyer following the case, said before the hearing that he believes the judge will make Black stay in the Chicago area.

"He's going to have to make a choice here over the next couple of months of whether he's going to be a Cub fan or a Sox fan," Totten said.

Last fall, Black said he was using regular channels to attempt to regain his citizenship and described himself as a "temporary resident" of Canada.

Under Canadian law, someone without Canadian citizenship and with a criminal record is not admissible.

Immigration Minister Diane Finley has discretionary power to grant Black permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. But even if Finley did allow Black to live in Canada again, his criminal conviction would likely stand in the way of regaining his citizenship.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said there would be no political interference from his government and Black would have to go through normal channels if he wants to return to Canada before his sentencing.

With files from the Canadian Press