A man wanted by police in Quebec, who moved to Calgary, changed his name, and tried to declare his residence a sovereign embassy, has been arrested.

Andreas Pirelli, known in Quebec as Mario Antonacci, called himself a "Freeman-on-the-Land."

He was arrested by Calgary police early Friday morning on warrants issued by courts in Quebec and will remain in custody for at least six days before being returned to Quebec.

Pirelli had started renting a Calgary home from retiree Rebekah Caverhill in 2011, but shortly after declared the home and embassy and refused to leave.

Caverhill said she rented the property to Pirelli for a reduced rent in exchange for his doing some renovations and maintenance. However, she said he gutted the bathroom and kitchen, changed the locks and declared the home a sovereign embassy. He also sent her a bill for $26,000 for his work and put a lien on the house.

She said he ignored a previous eviction notice, arguing that he was part of the “Freemen-on-the Land” movement and that Canadian laws do not apply to him.

On Thursday night, two plainclothes officers came to the home to speak with Pirelli.

Pirelli was ordered earlier this week to pay the rent and utilities owed, as well as leave the duplex by 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

He is facing charges under the Fair Trading Act.

With files from CTV Calgary