OTTAWA-
“Freedom Convoy” organizer Tamara Lich has been denied bail and will remain in custody pending trial on criminal charges related to the Ottawa protest.
Justice of the Peace Paul Harris said Friday that Lich’s defense had failed to prove that she could be trusted not to reoffend after she was charged last week with breaching her bail conditions. bail.
In breaching her bail conditions, Harris said in her decision that “Ms. Lich chose to exercise her freedom.
His lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, said Lich was “disappointed” with the decision and he promised to file an application with the Ontario Superior Court for a bail review in hopes of appealing the decision. Harris.
Lich was arrested last month and charged with violating a condition that prohibits her from communicating with ten people – except in the presence of their lawyers – associated with the “Freedom Convoy”.
Additionally, Lich still faces a single charge of breach of recognizance, as well as other criminal charges related to his participation in the protest that paralyzed Ottawa earlier this year.
In June, Lich attended a gala in Toronto where she accepted a “Freedom Award” and was photographed with Tom Marazzo, a spokesperson for the protest.
During his bail hearing on Tuesday, the Crown released a video appearing to show Lich speaking briefly to Marazzo after his acceptance speech.
Ottawa Police Detective Chris Benson also testified that Lich sat at the same table as Marazzo at the gala.
Greenspon argued that if there had been any contact between Lich and Marazzo it had been brief, and he suggested that Lich had not breached her bail conditions because the lawyers representing her in a civil suit were present at the event.
Harris said in her ruling that the defense presented no evidence that Lich’s attorney was present at the table or in the video. He said it was “absolutely ridiculous” to think the condition could only be excepted by having lawyers at the same event.
“To add even more fuel to the fire, Ms. Lich chose to lay arm in arm with Mr. Marazzo,” Harris said in her ruling. “One would find that confusing.”
Harris also cited new evidence presented by the Crown taken from a text message between her and convoy organizer Chris Barber, with whom she is co-charged with intimidation and obstruction of a peace officer, between other offences. Harris called the text messages “inculpatory” of Lich’s role as a convoy organizer.
Lich was first charged in February when police decided to end the protest after nearly three weeks.
She was released on bail in March and returned to Medicine Hat, Alta., after promising to abide by the terms of her bail. A surety agreed to supervise his release and posted $20,000 bond.
The Crown said at the bail hearing that they would require the surety to pay the money to the court.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”