The leader of a cult known as the “Queen of Canada” appeared in court in Swift Current for the first time, escorted in handcuffs. Romana Didulo, 50, arrived at the provincial court where she addressed a small group of supporters and journalists, emphasizing the principle of being considered innocent until proven guilty.
Didulo was among 16 individuals apprehended by the RCMP following a raid on a compound in Richmound, Saskatchewan. Initially released without charges, Didulo and another individual, Ricky Manz, were rearrested for failing to comply with an undertaking and intimidating a justice participant, stemming from an incident in July.
During the court proceedings, Didulo contested her arrest, expressing her desire for a hearing based on “natural law” and requesting dismissal of the case. Despite Judge Alan Jacobson’s instructions, she insisted on representing herself and was detained pending a bail hearing on Monday. Similarly, Manz was also remanded into custody awaiting a bail hearing.
According to expert Christine Sarteschi, who studies cults, Didulo’s followers view her as a figure of authority, engaging in practices that challenge conventional legal norms. The cult’s origins within the Q-Anon movement have transitioned into a sovereign citizen ideology, where adherents reject the application of laws to themselves.
Additional charges are expected to be filed against three more individuals associated with the cult, with ongoing concerns from local residents in Richmound about the group’s behavior and intentions. The recent raid on the compound yielded imitation firearms, ammunition, and electronic devices following a prior report of a firearm on the premises.