An Olympic gold medalist must remain behind bars in Howard County until at least Friday, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
Former Canadian biathlon champion Myriam Bedard, 37, was arrested Friday night at a Columbia hotel by U.S. marshals on charges of abducting her 12-year-old daughter, Maude.
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge James Bredar issued a temporary detention order for Bedard Tuesday, saying he will hear arguments about the Olympic champ?s detention Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Bedard?s attorney, Kevin McCants, of Santa Monica, Calif., said his client was disappointed that she must remain behind bars.
” ?When this is all over, I?m going to be OK,? ” McCants said Bredar told him, as she stood in an orange Howard County Detention Center jumpsuit in the federal courthouse in Baltimore.
Bedard?s arrest arises from a complaint lodged by her ex-husband Jean Pacquet, who alleged the Olympian had taken their daughter away from Quebec City without his permission and no intention to return.
Bedard, who has custody of her daughter, has been in the United States since Oct. 3, her attorneys said. Quebec City police obtained an arrest warrant for Bedard on Dec. 8 and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police requested U.S. marshals arrest her.
Bedard?s current partner, Nima Mazhari, who was at the courthouse Tuesday, said the family was eating dinner at the hotel and was surprised when federal authorities arrested her.
At the hearing Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Jackson told the judge that he believed that Bedard might flee the area if allowed out of the detention center.
“The risk of flight is great in this, your honor,” Jackson said.
Bedard was in the United States meeting with politicians and an ambassador about her whistle-blowing role in Canada?s federal sponsorshipscandal, her attorneys said.
Bedard?s Canadian attorney, John Pepper Jr., of Montreal, characterized the charges against Bedard as a vindictive attack by her ex-husband.
“This guy maliciously orchestrated a situation to wreak havoc on this family,” he said. “She told everyone where she was going. … She feels absolutely devastated by the fact that Mr. Pacquette would act in such a way.”
McCants said his client remains in good spirits despite her incarceration. “She?s been treated fairly at the detention center,” McCants said. “She is in segregation. She is spending 23 hours a day in her cell. The guards are polite. She?s concerned with her daughter and being reunited with her daughter. She was wronged. She?s confident that when these proceedings are over she will be acquitted.”
AN OLYMPIC CHAMP
? In 1994, Myriam Bedard won two gold medals in the biathlon competition at the Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. The biathlon combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting.
? Bedard also won gold in the 7.5-kilometer and 15-kilometer races at the 1994 Lillehammer Games.
? In 1992, she won a bronze medal in the biathlon at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
? She was a bronze medalist in the 15-kilometer race at the 1992 Olympics.
Source: Associated Press
