Tamara Lich acknowledges the connection between her tribute and protest in Ottawa

One of the organizers of the truckers ’protest made comments on the first day of his second bail hearing at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa. A proceeding stuffed with tense exchanges between Crown prosecutor, Moiz Karimjee, and judge Kevin Phillips.

Si Ms. Lich, seems to be with his convoy organizer Chris Barberwas charged with mischief, pretending to commit mischief, obstructing the work of the police, aiding others to obstruct the work of the police, obstructing another person to oppress and intimidate by obstructing and obstructing one or more highways.

He has been on bail since March 7, bound by the order of another Ontario Superior Court judge notably ordering him not to verbally, in writing, financially or in any other way, support anything related to the convoy of truckers and stay outside of Ontario.

Tamara Lich was honored to accept her award

At his interrogation by the defense attorney Lawrence GreensponOn Thursday, Ms. testified. Lich by videoconference from Alberta. He requested that his bail conditions be changed to allow him to travel to Ottawa. The reasons for his request are subject to a judicial publication ban and cannot be disclosed.

He also indicated that he was eager to attend at the gala, scheduled for Toronto in June, where he will receive the freedom award. But I will not break my bail conditions for it he assured.

On March 28, a charity called the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms emailed Ms Lich to let her know she had been selected to receive the George Jonas award Freedom 2022, he told the court.

The email, which he read aloud, said this award had been given to him in recognition of your role in leading the convoy of trucks.

The organization’s website explains that Ms. Lich took the initiative to help organize a peaceful protest and become one of the leaders. The resulting peaceful protest in Ottawa woke up many Canadians to the injustice of closures and mandatory vaccination policies that violate the Charter.

He also explained that Ms. Lich suffered for the purpose of liberty by spending 18 days in prison unjustly, and [qu’elle] describes courage, determination and perseverance.

The next day after receiving this message, Mrs. Lich by e-mail to say that he will be honored to accept such a price. However, he did not ask if this was possible due to his bail conditions, he admitted in his cross-examination by Mr. Karimjee.

When asked if by accepting the award she supported the convoy, Ms. Lich: I think, yes. maybe.

I think, this is not a violation [de mes conditions de mise en liberté sous caution]. I don’t think this recognition is used for that. I think this award is more about inspiring Canadians to bind the government to uphold the rule of law and defend their rights in the Charter. he continued.

I guess related to what happenedadded Ms. Lich.

The Crown asked the judge to stop himself

The first day of the hearing was marked by a heated exchange between Judge Phillips and Crown attorney Me Karimjee.

While the judge only criticized him for his behavior, Me Karimjee reiterated that he was just doing his job, before listing some problems with the court’s decisions and statements, especially the fact that Judge Phillips had previously refused to allow that email. informing Ms. Lich of his award to be submitted to the court.

This was followed by a tense exchange in which Me Karimjee asked Judge Philips to stop himself.

One request was refused, before Me Karimjee resumed his cross-examination.

A difficult start to the beginning

Thursday’s hearing was difficult to begin with.

While the Crown is expected to argue that Ms Lich should be returned to jail for allegedly continuing to support the convoy of truckers, that Ms Lich’s lawyers will attempt to undo the dismissal. the judge whether he has the power to decide on alleged errors of law committed by one of his counterparts in the Superior Court of Justice.

Me Karimjee argued that Judge Phillips could only look at new elements. To rule out errors of law that may have been committed by another judge, in his view, would lead the defense to seek review after review until a judge can render a favorable decision.

After a 20 -minute break, Judge Phillips eventually dismissed that argument.

The judge did not want to determine if Ms Lich violated her conditions

The first and only Crown witness was Ottawa Police Sgt. Mahad Hassan, who coordinated this investigation. The lead investigator, Detective Chris Benson, was busy providing evidence in a homicide case, the court said.

Mr. Hassan testified that he thought more expensive VIP tickets for the event in Toronto would give their holders opportunity to meet the personalities featured in the brochures – in this case, Ms. Lich and columnist Rex Murphy.

During his cross-examination by Ko greensponhe admitted, however, that there was no mention of Ms Lich’s presence on the posters.

As Mr. Karimjee led Mr. Hassan’s testimony, Judge Phillips wondered at the idea that he might be asked to decide if Ms. Hassan violated. Lich is one of his bail conditions, rather than let this cop work.

It’s a task I don’t know about. I’m not a cop. Are you trying to get me to find an offense here and declare that it violated the law? Judge Philips asked.

Mr. Karimjee said he had the right to present evidence proving that Mrs. Lich the conditions of his release, citing the Criminal Code.

Si Ms. Lich was arrested Feb. 17 shortly before a large police operation drove protesters and vehicles from the streets of Ottawa.

He was first denied bail, before winning an appeal. Ms. was released. Lich then spent approximately 18 days at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Center.

The review of Ms Lich’s bail conditions will continue on Friday morning.

With information from Guy Quenneville and David Fraserng CBC News