Cédrika Provencher's father and grandfather made a surprise appearance in court this morning to attend the civil hearings between Jonathan Bettez and the Sûreté du Québec.
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Martin Provencher and Henri Provencher, little Cédrika's father and grandfather respectively, arrived at the Montreal courthouse around 11 a.m. They declined to comment for now, but said they were there to attend the civil hearings initiated by the man still considered the “prime suspect” in the disappearance and murder of the nine-year-old child.
However, the hearings had been suspended until this afternoon, so they were unable to meet Jonathan Bettez in person. However, there is a risk that they will find themselves in the same room after returning from their lunch break.
Cédrika Provencher's grandfather Henri Provencher and his father Martin Provencher visit the Montreal courthouse for the case of Jonathan Bettez against the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) in Montreal on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Photo QMI Agency, JOEL LEMAY Photo QMI Agency, JOEL LEMAY
As a preventive measure, special police officers are also present in the corridor.
$10 million lawsuit
Since Monday, the Bettez clan has been in court as part of a $10 million lawsuit against the state, alleging that the police did everything they could to convince the public that he was a murderer and pedophile.
Jonathan Bettez, suspect in the Cédrika Provencher case, at the Palais de Justice de Montréal in Montreal, Monday January 22, 2024. Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
The police still consider Bettez to be the “main suspect” in the disappearance and murder of little Cédrika Provencher.
The affair, which occurred in the summer of 2007, shocked all of Quebec. The nine-year-old's bones were discovered in 2015, but despite police efforts, no one was ever charged.
Bettez then became the target of a police operation, but although he had been accused of child pornography, he was acquitted because the evidence against him was improperly collected.
More details to follow…
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