'Freedom Convoy' leader Tamara Lich to be released from custody
CTV
An Ontario judge has ruled that Tamara Lich, a high-profile organizer of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest, be released from jail following a bail review.
An Ontario judge has ruled that Tamara Lich, a high-profile organizer of the "Freedom Convoy" protest, be released from jail following a bail review.
The judge found that the previous judge who denied Lich bail made errors in law. The Alberta resident is being released on $25,000 in bonds and must leave Ottawa within 24 hours and Ontario within 72 hours.
Lich was arrested Feb. 17 and has remained in custody after initially being denied bail. Lich spearheaded a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the convoy, which was shut down after raising more than $10 million. The Medicine Hat, Alta. native is charged with counselling to commit mischief.
Justice John Johnston said in his decision that in denying Lich bail two weeks ago, Justice Julie Bourgeous erred when weighing the seriousness of Lich's charges by comparing them to the seriousness of the impact of the "Freedom Convoy" and not to other criminal code offences.
Lich, 49, Johnston noted, had lived a "pro-social" life prior to these charges and had no criminal record, suggesting that these factors may be grounds for a lighter sentence, should Lich be convicted. Johnston was concerned that Lich could spend more time in pre-trial custody than a sentence might deliver.
He was also convinced that Lich's new surety, a relative who cannot be identified under a publication ban, would provide adequate supervision. Lich's first surety, her husband, was found to be unreliable, but the new surety was deemed to be credible.
Lich must abide by several conditions. She must leave Ottawa within 24 hours of her release from custody and must leave Ontario within 72 hours, keeping in contact with the Ottawa Police Service daily as she returns to Alberta. She may not return to Ontario except to attend court or to meet with her lawyers, and she must inform Ottawa police if and when she returns to the province.
