Yazidi Association of Manitoba executive director charged with sexual assault
Alleged assault occurred at space used by association between July and August
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
The head of Manitoba's Yazidi association has been charged with sexual assault.
Hadji Hesso was arrested Oct. 4 and charged with one count of sexual assault, the Winnipeg Police Service confirmed to CBC News on Wednesday. Hesso was originally released on an undertaking, but was arrested days later for breaching conditions of his release.
Court heard on Oct. 18 that Hesso knew the victim through the Yazidi Association of Manitoba, and that he's known her and her family for close to a decade since their arrival in Canada after fleeing Iraq.
Hesso, who is the association's executive director, was denied bail during that hearing. Provincial court Judge Cynthia Devine said he wasn't to have contact with the victim, including indirectly through a third party.
"I recognize this is a man without a criminal record, but the circumstances of these offences are very troubling," Devine said in court.
Denies allegations
On Monday, Hesso's request for bail was denied by Court of King's Bench Justice Brian Bowman.
Court was told the alleged assault occurred repeatedly at a space used by the Yazidi association between this past July and August.
Hesso allegedly made inappropriate comments to the woman and asked her to meet at his house. He's also alleged to have made advances toward her and touching her without her consent.
In a statement to CBC News Wednesday, Hesso's lawyer said his client denies the allegations.
"He is eager to contest these allegations in court at the earliest opportunity as he is confident the court will find he has done nothing wrong," said defence attorney Alex Steigerwald.
Remains executive director
CBC News has confirmed Hesso remains the executive director of the Yazidi Association of Manitoba. An association member wouldn't comment on the matter.
The organization describes itself on Facebook as "dedicated to advocate, represent and absorb refugees of the Yazidi minority in Canada."
Yazidis are a religious minority based mainly in northern Iraq. They were persecuted by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, which considered them heretics.
In 2016, a United Nations report declared that the slaughter, sexual slavery, indoctrination and other crimes committed against hundreds of thousands of Yazidi people amounted to genocide.
A City of Winnipeg spokesperson told CBC News in an email Wednesday that Hesso worked as a contracted driver for Winnipeg Transit Plus, which offers transportation for people who require a level of assistance not provided on a Winnipeg Transit bus.
"We can advise that the individual is not providing services to Winnipeg Transit Plus at this time," the spokesperson said in the email.
Hesso is also listed as a board member of the Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba. CBC News has reached out to the organization for comment.
Hesso is slated to appear in provincial court next on Nov. 4.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
With files from Meaghan Ketcheson