OTTAWA | The main organizer of the Ottawa siege, Tamara Lich, is back in court today to try to convince the justice to release her on bail.
• Read also: Pat King remains behind bars
She is asking for a review of the decision of Judge Julie Bourgeois of the Ontario Court of Justice who last week refused to release her pending trial, for fear that she would reoffend.
Before another judge, his lawyer questions the impartiality of judge Bourgeois, indicating that the magistrate ran for the Liberal Party of Canada in 2011.
She also argues that her client’s Métis status was not fully considered.
The lawyer indicates that her client wishes to return to her home in Alberta with her children and grandchildren, and that she wishes to find her job.
An ex-worker in the oil sector, Lich then became involved in politics with the Alberta separatist party. She left her post as secretary of the Maverick Party shortly following arriving in Ottawa to devote herself to the convoy, indicating that she would remain in the federal capital “as long as it takes”.
She now claims to have taken a vacation from her job to participate in the convoy and is now on unpaid leave.
Lich is the instigator of the crowdfunding campaign that gave birth to the so-called “freedom convoy”. The 49-year-old Albertan has also been the main face of the movement since day one. She faces a criminal charge of counseling others to commit mischief.
Two other organizers also face criminal charges. Pat King is also imprisoned awaiting trial, while Chris Barber has been released on bail.