David Popescu hate crime charges dropped by Crown

Hate crime charges against a perennial Sudbury election candidate have been withdrawn by the Crown.

David Popescu was charged by Sudbury Police in September for advocating and promoting genocide and the willful promotion of hatred.

Sudbury police laid the charges after receiving complaints from about half a dozen people.

They told police that Popescu was allegedly distributing pamphlets and DVD monologues in public places, calling for the execution of LGBTQ people.

The courthouse confirms the charges were withdrawn on Dec. 9.

Popescu was previously convicted of hate speech for comments made in a debate during the 2008 federal election for suggesting homosexual people should be killed.

He defended his opinions by saying they were based on the Bible. A judge disagreed and sentenced Popescu to probation and a suspended sentence.

He was also convicted of assault against his mother in 2003.