By Saadeq Ahmed

TORONTO, June 14 (Reuters) - A former Air Canada manager

who is wanted for his alleged role in a $20 million gold heist,

the largest in Canadian history, is preparing to turn himself,

his lawyer told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp on Friday.

Simran Preet Panesar faces charges in connection with the

April 2023 theft from Toronto's Pearson airport.

His lawyer, Greg Lafontaine, told CBC that Panesar was out

of the country but did not say where. Lafontaine said he had

informed authorities that Panesar planned to return to the

country voluntarily within the next few weeks to surrender.

"He is anxious to have an opportunity to demonstrate his

absolute innocence," Lafontaine said.

Lafontaine told CBC that Panesar was very confident in the

justice system and that "when this prosecution is over, he will

have been absolved of any wrongdoing."

Police said in April they had arrested six people and were

looking for three more.

The suspects, including two Air Canada ( ACDVF ) employees, are

accused of forging an airway bill to steal a cargo arriving from

Switzerland of 6,600 gold bars weighing 400 kg (882 pounds) and

C$2.5 million in foreign currency, police officials said.

Lafontaine's office said he was not able to comment further.

Police said earlier this month that they had arrested and

charged Archit Grover, another individual allegedly involved in

the gold heist.

(Editing by David Ljunggren and Cynthia Osterman)