GRAND FALLS, N.B. — The sister of a New Brunswick potato farmer jailed in Lebanon hopes a Christmas tree erected in his honour will serve as a constant reminder that her brother is not home.

Harmien (Har-meen) Dionne says as many as 200 people attended a rally in Grand Falls on Sunday for farmer Henk Tepper, who has spent eight months in a Beirut prison.

Community and family members marched down Broadway Boulevard before arriving at a tree decorated with yellow ribbons and miniature potato sacks in the centre of town.

Dionne says she is overwhelmed with the support from the community.

Tepper was detained in Beirut under an international arrest warrant over allegations that potatoes he exported to Algeria in 2007 were rotten and he is also accused of forging trade documents.

Dionne says she hopes the rally brings attention to the issue and puts pressure on the Canadian government to bring her brother home for the holidays.