'Shock, happiness, bewilderment': Guelph man to return home after being detained in the Dominican Republic since April
Twelve Canadians, who have been detained in the Dominican Republic since April, have been told they are going home.
“Just shock, happiness, bewilderment and just thrilled,” said Robert Di Venanzo, who was one of those arrested nearly seven months ago.
The Guelph man was one of the Pivot Airlines pilots meant to fly back to Toronto from Punta Cana. Instead, Di Venanzo and four crew members, as well as seven passengers, were arrested after they reported finding more than 200 kilograms of cocaine on their chartered plane.
“In a matter of about five hours feeling really good about what we had found and reported to: ‘Oh my goodness, what is going on?’” said Di Venanzo.
The crew spent nine days in jail while the passengers were in custody for 21 days.
Di Venanzo described that time as “hell.”
“It was dealing with constant threats to our lives, extortion,” he explained. “Staying with 26 criminals in a 12-by-12 cell, so that period of our detainment was just horrifying.” They were later released on bail after surrendering their passports.
Di Venanzo said they have essentially been under house arrest since then.
No charges were ever laid and the crew and passengers say they were never interviewed by authorities.
“The ordeal they’ve gone through is just horrific,” said Eric Edmonson, Pivot Airline’s CEO.
He added paperwork has been filed to free them and called it the most progress they have made yet.
“We now have a legalized document from the district attorney signed, also by the attorney general that has been filed and sealed by the court,” said Edmonson.
The paperwork still needs to be certified by a judge, which is considered a formality. It’s still unclear when the crew and passengers may return to Canada but it could be in a matter of weeks.
Di Venanzo said he’s cautiously optimistic there’s a light at the end of this long tunnel.
“It’s been a pretty tough situation for all of us but looks like things are getting better for us shortly.”
Chris Burkett, who works as an international lawyer, called the entire ordeal unacceptable. He believes the Canadian government should have leverage to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“Our consular services need to step up and send a very significant message to the Dominican Republic,” said Burkett. “This is a flight crew that self reported and obviously there needs to be an investigation.”
Burkett also said this is a sad reminder of the perils of traveling to countries where justice systems are vastly different from what Canadians are used to.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.