Montreal rally calls for release of two men held in Benin

A diaspora group plans to rally outside the Consulate of Benin in Montreal on Sunday to demand the release of two men it says are Canadian citizens imprisoned in the West African country.

The African Diaspora Forum-Canada said in a media advisory that Richard Boni Ouorou, held since May 2025, and Juste Flavius Ewinsou, held since September 2026, are political prisoners. The rally is set for 2 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the consulate, 5835 Léger Blvd. in Montreal.

Ouorou is the founder of Le Libéral, an opposition-leaning party in Benin. He was arrested in Cotonou on May 15, 2025, according to Benin Web TV, weeks after the party’s registration file was approved. He was charged before Benin’s special economic and terrorism court, known as CRIET, and has been in detention since May 22, 2025.

Benin’s special prosecutor has accused him of promising 12 million CFA francs to officials at the ministry responsible for political parties, and the case was later reported to include money-laundering charges, according to Beninese outlets La Nouvelle Tribune and Benin Web TV. His lawyer has said the charges are not founded and that money was paid after the party received its provisional registration receipt, not to buy a service.

Ouorou moved to Canada in 2007, studied at HEC Montréal and the Université de Montréal, and returned to Benin in 2024, according to a Benin Web TV profile. On July 16, 2026, the court’s investigating chamber rejected a release request filed by lawyers for one of his co-accused, and the accused were returned to prison, Beninese media reported. No trial date has been reported.

Canada News Media could not independently confirm the citizenship of either man, or the circumstances of Ewinsou’s detention. The group’s advisory gave no details of the case against him.

Canada News Media is seeking comment from Global Affairs Canada, the Consulate of Benin in Montreal and the organizers, and will update this story with any response.