’Queen of Canada’ gets bail, ordered to stay in Regina

The self-proclaimed Queen of Canada was granted bail Monday morning and ordered to stay in Regina until her trial.

Romana Didulo, who appeared in court in Swift Current, Sask., was given several conditions. Violating any of them would land the 50-year-old cult leader back in jail.

Her conditions include staying away from Richmound, Sask., the village where her cult has lived for the past two years, not having any contact with several specific people including Ricky Manz, who owns the former school where the cult was living, and not possessing weapons.

Didulo elected to go with a trial by jury, with a preliminary inquiry. She is scheduled to appear in court next on Sept. 17.

A dozen supporters in white hats showed up to greet Didulo on Monday morning as she returned to court in Swift Current, Sask., for a bail hearing after spending the weekend in custody.

For the team, secure the royal puppies and the funds, you know who to get ahold of, Didulo said as she stood to face the media.

You know they have no jurisdiction.… Zero.

WATCH | ‘Queen of Canada’ gives orders to followers and says she’s seeking jury trial:

‘Queen of Canada’ gives orders to followers and says she’s seeking jury trial

Heading into Swift Current Provincial Court in Saskatchewan Monday morning, Romana Didulo, who calls herself the ‘Queen of Canada,’ told her followers, who were standing outside in support, to secure the royal puppies and the funds, and announced she will be seeking a jury trial. She faces two charges after a raid on the cult’s compound Wednesday and is representing herself.

Didulo was remanded after she made her first appearance in provincial court on Friday on charges of failing to comply with an undertaking and intimidating a justice system participant.

She had been living with members of the cult in a decommissioned school in Richmound, Sask., about 365 kilometres west of Regina, when it was raided by RCMP on Wednesday.

Manz, who owns the former school in Richmound, was arrested last week on the same charges and held in custody until his bail hearing, also scheduled for Monday.

The condition of the undertaking they are both alleged to have breached is that they were not supposed to contact each other.

The intimidation charge stems from a July investigation in Richmound, RCMP have said. Information discussed during court Friday indicated the charge is allegedly related to intimidating four people, including a police officer.

Didulo and Manz were two of 16 people who were arrested by RCMP following the Wednesday raid. Everyone was released without charges, then Didulo and Manz were rearrested and charged.

Since the cult set up base in Richmound — a village of about 120 people — there have been complaints from locals, who accuse the group of harassing people and plotting to take over the town.

RCMP said they raided the cult’s compound last week after receiving a report that one of its occupants had a firearm. Police said they seized 13 imitation semi-automatic handguns, ammunition and a large number of electronic devices.

Order to vacate building

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has now deemed the former school unfit for habitation. The health authority posted an order to vacate Friday, after it found the building was not connected to a municipal sewage system.

A social media post on Friday included photos of what appeared to be the health authority’s order posted on fencing around the building.

In an email to CBC on Friday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority confirmed the order, saying it had gathered sufficient evidence regarding health concerns and compliance issues … to determine there is a risk to public health safety, and that the building was deemed unfit for human occupation.

As a result, the health authority issued an eviction order for anyone still occupying the building, the email said.

RCMP said at least three other people are expected to be charged in the investigation.

This article is republished from RCI.