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By Frank Pingue
TORONTO, July 24 (Reuters) - A member of the Brazilian men's
water polo team who won a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American
Games is wanted on a warrant for sexual assault, Toronto police
said on Friday.
Police in the host city for the July 10-26 Pan Am Games said
an arrest warrant has been issued for 27-year-old Thye Mattos
Ventura Bezerra after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The substitute goalkeeper and an unnamed team mate, who
police do not consider a suspect at this point, allegedly went
to the 22-year-old victim's home with one of her friends.
After the victim went to sleep, Bezerra allegedly entered
her bedroom and sexually assaulted her hours before leaving the
country, according to police.
"There could be other victims," Sex Crimes Inspector Joanna
Beaven-Desjardins said during a news conference. "That's why his
picture is out in the public."
Police would not give additional details on the allegations
but, in Canada, sexual assault is considered any form of
unwanted sexual contact. It includes, but is not limited to,
kissing, grabbing, oral sex and penetration.
Bezerra arrived in Toronto on July 3 ahead of the
multi-sport competition between countries from North America,
Latin America, South America and the Caribbean. He left on July
16, a day after the men's water polo competition concluded.
The Brazilian men's water polo team are scheduled to compete
in the world championships in Kazan, Russia, with their opening
game set for Monday against China.
If Bezerra is in Russia, or plans to travel to Russia,
police said there is a chance they can issue a provisional
warrant and have him arrested and brought back to Canada.
Police also said Canada does not have an extradition treaty
regarding the offence with Brazil but negotiations are underway
to have him return to Canada and face the charges.
"If he goes to Brazil, we don't have a treaty with them at
this time," said Beaven-Desjardins. "But if he goes to another
country that does have a treaty he can be arrested."
(Editing by Ed Osmond/Mark Lamport-Stokes)