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Mario Roy unsuccessfully demanded his bail hearing be held Friday because he is a member of an orchard that produces ice cider, and “I’m going to lose $25,000 worth of cider this weekend.”
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A man who is alleged to have been the leader of an anti-mask protest that blocked the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine Tunnel this month has been ordered to remain behind bars for a bail hearing scheduled for Monday.
After being arrested by the Sûreté du Québec on Wednesday in connection with the March 13 protest, Mario Roy, 49, of Wickham was released. But he was quickly arrested a second time this week, by the Montreal police, on charges alleging he violated a series of conditions set out in another case, in which he was charged on Feb. 9 with having uttered threats toward a lawyer.
He is now charged with having violated the conditions that were imposed on him on that date, which he had to respect in order to remain free while his case was pending. He allegedly violated the conditions by making reference to two lawyers on social media when he was ordered not to.
He is also charged with harassing one of the same lawyers, on March 19.
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“(The lawyer) was intimidated because I said I would organize a protest, which is a constitutional right,” Roy told Quebec Court Judge Louise Provost at the Montreal courthouse while demanding his bail hearing be held Friday. “She isn’t scared of me. She is scared that I will hold a protest in front of (the offices of the) Quebec Bar Association. We have organized many in front of the offices of (a Quebec government minister).”
Roy acted as his own lawyer during the hearing on Friday and turned down the advice of a defence lawyer in the courtroom.
Provost told Roy she was unable to hold a bail hearing on Friday. He argued the matter is urgent because he is a member of an orchard that produces ice cider and his presence is required there.
“I’m living with prejudices and this is not a joke. I am going to lose products. I’m going to lose $25,000 worth of cider this weekend. I have no interest in threatening the (lawyer). I am a man with a family, with children and obligations.”
Roy also argued he needs to be released to deal with other court cases in which he is involved.
Last week, Roy was found guilty, in Quebec civil court, of contempt of court for having violated a court order that he stop acting like a lawyer.
pcherry@postmedia.com
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