A key figure in the Freedom Convoy protest has been released on bail after spending five months in jail, an Ottawa court ruled Monday.
The decision on Pat King’s bail status came after a two-day bail review hearing last week. There is a ban on publishing the evidence and the reasons for the decision.
King returned to an Ottawa courtroom after waiting months to see if he would be released on bail, as his April bail review was abruptly halted due to new charges against him and of an apparent hacking of his lawyer’s computer during the review.
King’s then-defense attorney had called for a review of his decision to keep him in jail until his trial begins.
Since then, King has selected a new lawyer to fight for his release and defend him from a growing number of charges.
King, an Alberta resident, was a prominent figure in the weeks-long convoy protest against COVID-19 restrictions, and was arrested Feb. 18 on four charges: ailment, counseling for wrongdoing, counseling to commit the crime of disobeying a court. order and advice to obstruct the police. He faces additional charges of obstructing justice and perjury.
On Monday, Judge Anne London-Weinstein read the terms of King’s release. They are:
- Evict Ottawa as soon as possible, and no later than 24 hours.
- Reside with a supervised endorsement until you can catch a flight to Edmonton.
- The Ottawa Police Service can check the residence of the collateral if necessary.
- To reside with a guarantor in Alberta.
- Being on bail.
- Not having 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 is through a lawyer or for their preparations for the defense of their criminal charges.)
- There is no protest or public assembly, specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Convoy of Freedom and the anti-government demonstration.
- No social media in any way, no posting or getting others to post on your behalf.
- Obey the curfew from 10pm to 6am, unless it is backed up.
- King has to pay a $ 25,000 bail to secure his next court appearance.
- No possession of weapons or ammunition.
In June, a pastor who tried to regularly visit the King in prison at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Center said King was “quite defeated.”