Pat King. Image credit: Twitter handle of Crystal
Ottawa/CMEDIA: According to an Ottawa court decision on Monday, a key figure of the Freedom Convoy protest has been granted bail after spending five months in jail.
As Pat King came out from the Elgin Street courthouse he was greeted with hugs and cheers from supporters, who waved Canadian flags and chanted “freedom.”
After a two-day bail review hearing last week, King’s bail status was decided.
There’s a publication ban on the evidence and reasons for the decision.
King’s bail review in April came to an abrupt halt due to his alleged hacking of his lawyer’s computer during the review.
Since then he waited for months to hear if he would be released on bail and was back in an Ottawa courtroom
A review of the decision to keep him in custody until his trial begins was requested by King’s then-defense lawyer.
Since then, King has tapped a new lawyer to fight for his release and defend him against a mounting number of charges.
A leading figure in the weeks-long convoy protest against COVID-19 restrictions, King, an Alberta resident was arrested on Feb. 18 on charges of mischief, counseling to commit mischief, counseling to commit the offense of disobeying a court order, and counseling to obstruct police. He faces additional charges of obstructing justice and perjury.
The conditions of King’s release read out on On Monday, Justice Anne London-Weinstein are:
- To vacate Ottawa no later than 24 hours,
- To reside with a surety under supervision until he can take a flight to Edmonton.
- Ottawa Police Service can check the surety’s residence if required.
- To reside with a surety in Alberta.
- To be in employment under a surety.
- To have no contact or communication with other Freedom Convoy leaders and stakeholders: Chris Barber, Tamara Lich, Daniel Bulford, Benjamin Dichter, James Bauder, Tyson Billings, Owen Swiderski, Tom Marrazzo, and Brian Carr. (Unless it’s through counsel, or for his preparations for defence for his criminal charges.)
- No protesting or public assembly, specifically related to COVID-19 pandemic, the Freedom Convoy and anti-government demonstration.
- No social media in any form, no posting messages or having others post on his behalf. He must deactivate his Real Pat King website, Facebook page and other social media accounts within 48 hours, through a surety or counsel.
- No giving interviews, including on social media.
- To abide by a curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless he’s with sureties. King must provide proof to police he is with a surety, if he’s unavailable for a door-knock check.
- King must post a $25,000 cash bond, to guarantee his next court appearance.
- No possession of weapons or ammunition.
#FreedomConvoyleader; #PatKing; #BailGranted
