Alleged Anti-Woman Blogger Denied Bail

A Quebec man who allegedly used his blog, which is named after Marc Lepine, to utter threats against women was denied bail this week.

Jean-Claude Rochefort is the alleged author of the blog named after the man responsible for the 1989 rampage at Ecole Polytechnique. The so-called men’s rights activism site claims Lepine has evolved into a folk-hero.

The 61-year-old has pleaded not guilty and claims he never intended to act on his alleged comments. He’s also charged with possessing an unregistered firearm.

Judge Claude Leblond said the posts, written in both English and French, were troubling and indicated an obsession with winning a war against feminists and mass shootings. The posts, which also include doctored photos, showed a “visceral hatred for women in general,” he noted.

Rochefort allegedly published the blog under three pseudonyms and some posts had incited fear amongst some women’s groups and even prompted heightened security at an anniversary event.

The alleged blogger was arrested days before the 20th anniversary of the rampage.

At Thursday’s hearing Rochefort’s lawyer, Guillaume Langlois, insisted his client presents a minimal risk. Langlois expects freedom of expression arguments will play a big part in any future trial.

Rochefort is due back in court on Feb. 16.

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