Town rallies behind potato farmer
N.B. community shows support for man freed from Lebanese jail
DRUMMMOND, N.B.— For the past 12 months, the Canadian flag on JeanLouis Beaulieu’s front yard has remained at half-mast, a sign of respect for his neighbour, Henk Tepper.
During that time he never spoke of Tepper’s ordeal to the family but said he always held hope that his friend, whom he described as “a very hard worker — a good man,” would return.
This past weekend, upon learning the potato farmer was back on Canadian soil after being detained in Lebanon, Beaulieu raised the flag, built a “welcome home” sign and organized a bonfire for his neighbour. But clouding over the many cheers, sign-lined streets and heartfelt reunions is the realization that Tepper faces an uncertain future.
The Canadian Press reported over the weekend that an Interpol red notice issued by Algeria remains in effect. If convicted, the farmer could face five years in prison.
He must also salvage his oncebustling business. Just a few years ago his farm was the biggest in this northwestern New Brunswick community, employing up to 20 people. Now it’s in bankruptcy protection.
“He’s got a lot on his plate,” Beaulieu said.
Tepper was detained in Lebanon in March 2011 after being picked up on an international arrest warrant on allegations he exported rotten potatoes to Algeria in 2007. Tepper’s lawyers have denied the allegations and said the potatoes were inspected in Canada before they were shipped.
Tepper ended up in his legal limbo because he was detained on the Interpol notice by the Lebanese government, which does not have an extradition treaty with Algeria.
In the last year, Tepper’s neighbours have shown their support by holding community rallies, attended by hundreds of people. And now that he’s home they show no sign of slowing down.
On Sunday, Tepper was greeted by a throng of neighbours and friends. Among them was Lecha Bonsant Ouellette, his hairdresser of more than 20 years.
With a head full of shaggy hair, Tepper asked if she could make an exception and open her shop the next day, she said. “He said, ‘I know you’re not open Monday but please take me.’ ” She agreed.
Although Tepper has been tightlipped about his ordeal, refusing so far to speak with any media, Ouellette said he opened up to her about his time in Beirut. “He talked about the cell he lived in and how they used fuel to kill the cockroaches and it was so cold at nights he could see his breath.” Ouellette’s husband Claude and a few other community residents had pooled their money to help hire a lawyer to help expedite Tepper’s release. But Tepper’s biggest supporter has been his sister, Harmein Dionne. The elementary school teacher, who also lives in Drummond, greeted Tepper when he arrived in Ottawa and joined him on the van ride home. She and Tepper’s lawyers held a press conference Monday in which they accused Ottawa of not doing enough to bring her brother home. Throughout the year she said she wrote about 50 letters to the government but never saw any indication that anything was being done. Diane Ablonczy, minister of state for foreign affairs, issued a statement over the weekend saying the government worked behind the scenes to get Tepper released. Despite everything, Dionne said her brother never gave up hope. “He accepted the fact that he was there,” Dionne said. “I drew my strength from Henk,” she said. “I was always amazed at his strength and optimism.”