An Akwesasne resident accused by American authorities of causing the deaths of eight migrants during an illegal border crossing said she was prepared to respect any conditions to be released on bail, as her detention is so serious difficult.
• Also read: Eight migrants drowned in Akwesasne: the leader of a smugglers network arrested
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• Also read: Tragedy in Akwesasne: a Romanian family decimated in the disaster
“I am ready to report to the police every day, I can respect a curfew, wear a GPS bracelet…” declared Stéphanie Square this Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse.
Having difficulty standing due to health problems, the alleged smuggler then spoke about her indigenous culture, the importance to her of her Mohawk roots, and the daily help she provides to her elderly mother.
The 51-year-old woman hopes to get out of prison, where she has been preventively incarcerated since the end of August at the request of the New York State authorities, who are requesting her extradition in order to be able to try her.
Stephanie Square.
Photo courtesy of the court
According to American prosecutors, she was at the head of a network of smugglers which operated on the Mohawk reserve, which straddles the territories of Quebec, Ontario and the United States.
Tragic deaths
They accuse Square of having organized an illegal crossing which turned into a tragedy in March 2023, when two families were decimated when their boat capsized due to dangerous weather. Among the victims were toddlers aged 6 months and two years.
Three of the victims, the Romanian father, Florin Iordache, and his two children, Evelyn (in the stroller) and Eylen (right), born in Canada.
Photos taken from the Facebook account of Florin Richard Iordache
The boat’s pilot, Casey Oakes, also died.
“His brother was worried that the boat would overturn because the waters were very rough due to the bad weather,” the court documents read.
For the American authorities, Stephanie Square is a “danger to the public”. As proof, they claim that even after the tragedy, the woman continued to operate her network.
Photo courtesy of the court
The federal Crown also noted that Square had already been convicted in the past, among other things, for non-compliance with conditions.
Square, however, assured that she would respect them, after seeing with her own eyes what prison life was like.
“It’s difficult [en prison]she said. There, I see clearly.”
No risk of leaking
The mother of the accused also testified, to confirm that her daughter could live with her.
For Me Joël Girard of the defense, Square is expected to be released on bail during the extradition process. Not only because her client is ready to respect all the conditions, but also because the risks of escape would be limited.
Not only does the woman not have a Canadian passport, but she has always lived on the Akwesasne reserve and its surrounding areas.
“His life revolves around his community,” he pleaded.
The federal Crown, however, does not agree with this, and requests the woman’s continued detention, calling on the judge not to believe the accused.
“We have someone who breaks the law, her mother is in good faith, but she has no control over her daughter,” pleaded Me Anne-Renée Touchette, Anne-Renée. If she is released, she will continue.
Judge Daniel Royer took his decision under advisement, announcing that Square will decide its fate next week.
The two families decimated
Florin Iordache, 28 years old
Cristina Iordache, 28 years old
Evelyn Iordache, 2
Eylen Iordache, 6 months
Pravinbhai Veljibhai Chaudhari, 49 ans
Dakshaben Pravinbhai Chaudhari, 45 ans
Mitkumar Pravinbhai Chaudhary, 20 ans
Vidhiben Pravinkumar Chaudhari, 23 ans
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