Montreal, September 20, 2010 – Juan Pablo Lepore was arrested in Montreal on September 2nd, and is has been charged with mischief in connection with the G20 summit. Given that the Crown refused his release at his first court appearance, Juan was back in court on September 17th, attempting once again to secure his release while awaiting trial.

“All the conditions have been met in order for Juan Pablo Lepore to be released while awaiting trial: a person in a stable financial situation has agreed to act as his surety and to ensure that he will respect his pre-trial release conditions. Juan is also able to post a significant amount of money for bail. Despite the fact that Juan is willing to accept unusually harsh conditions for the kind of charges he is facing, the Crown continues to refuse to allow his release, claiming that his surety’s son has ties to anarchist networks. The Crown is confusing crime and anarchism,” notes Matthieu Francoeur, a member of Juan’s support committee.

Meanwhile, Alex Hundert, another person charged following events at the G20, and who had been released on bail, was sent back to prison for taking part in a public lecture, as an invited speaker on a panel which included professors from Ryerson University.

“We are in Canada and a person has just been sent back to prison for having participated in a discussion panel, and at the same time they are refusing to release another person because members of his surety’s family don’t have the right political opinions; I feel like I’m in a bad movie, except that these are real people who are languishing in prison,” said Mathieu Francoeur.

Juan Pablo Lepore will be back in court today, while Alex Hundert will appear tomorrow, but only in order to be set a new court date at some point in the coming weeks. Members of Juan Pablo Lepore’s support committee are demanding his immediate release, as well as the immediate release of Alex Hundert, so that they can both await their trials in their communities. “The Crown should know that you don’t lock up people for their ideas or for speaking out,” concludes Mathieu Francoeur.

For more information or for interviews :
Mathieu Francoeur (438) 838-8498

Bake Sale
Friday, October 1st
UNB Campus
Location details TBA
10-2PM

Cinema Politica & Bake Sale
Friday, October 1st
Conservation Council of New Brunswick
180 St. John Street
7PM

Brunch Fundraiser
Saturday, October 9th
Renaissance College
811 Charlotte Street
11AM-1PM
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