Montreal

Leonardo Rizzuto, Stefano Sollecito appear in Montreal court

A Quebec Court judge has ruled a bail hearing will go ahead for Leonardo Rizzuto and Stefano Sollecito, two alleged mobsters arrested last November in raids targeting organized crime in the Montreal area.

A 3-day bail hearing expected for alleged leaders of Montreal Mafia

Leonardo Rizzuto is seen leaving a courthouse in 2008. Police allege he is a leader of the Montreal Mafia. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

A Quebec Court judge has ruled a bail hearing will go ahead for two alleged leaders of the Montreal Mafia, following their arrests last November in raids targeting organized crime in the Montreal area. 

Leonardo Rizzuto and Stefano Sollecito are facing charges of committing an offence for a criminal organization and drug trafficking.

Both were in court for the start of proceedings on Monday.

The prosecution and defence spent the morning debating points of law. 

Judge Daniel Bédard ruled Monday afternoon that the bail hearing will proceed. It is scheduled to last at least three days.

The proceedings are under a publication ban.

Leonardo Rizzuto was among those arrested last Nov. 19. (Alain Roberge/LaPresse)
Rizzuto is a lawyer and the son of the late Vito Rizzuto, who was for years described by law enforcement as the godfather of the Montreal Mafia. Vito Rizzuto died of natural causes in 2013.

Leonardo Rizzuto's brother, Nick Jr., was assassinated in broad daylight in 2009. 

Police allege the suspects are heads of the Montreal Mafia.