Yazidi Association leader accused of bail breach

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This article was published 02/12/2024 (630 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A community leader facing sexual assault charges has been arrested again for breaching bail conditions and uttering threats, police say.

Hadji Hesso, executive director of the Yazidi Association of Manitoba, is accused of visiting and threatening the alleged victim at her home Sunday. The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed Hesso was charged later that night. He remains in custody.

Hesso was charged with one count of sexual assault on Oct. 4, the same day his accuser provided a statement to police.

The sexual assaults are alleged to have occurred in the summer of 2023 when Hesso was accused of sexually touching and groping a woman repeatedly.

Hesso had known the woman for about a decade, ever since she and her family arrived in Canada from Iraq, court was told during a bail hearing.

Police originally released Hesso on an undertaking that included a condition he have no direct or indirect contact with the woman.

Shortly after, he was accused of breaching the undertaking after allegedly sending a cousin to the woman’s home and offering her a bribe to drop the sexual assault charge, court heard.

The cousin “also stated that if she didn’t accept the bribe, police would seek medical assistance to show she wasn’t a virgin and tarnish her reputation in the Yazidi community,” Crown attorney Larissa Campbell told court at the time.

That alleged incident was reported to police and Hesso was rearrested Oct. 17.

Hesso was originally denied bail, with Judge Cynthia Devine saying she wasn’t satisfied he would comply with conditions, including to not contact the woman.

Hesso subsequently appeared before King’s Bench Justice Brian Bowman on Oct. 28 and was denied bail again.

He was eventually granted bail on Nov. 28.