Freedom Convoy leader Pat King granted bail

A key figure of the Freedom Convoy protest has been granted bail after spending five months in jail,an Ottawa court decided Monday.

Pat King emerged from the Elgin Street courthouse to hugs and cheers from supporters, who waved Canadian flags and chanted "freedom."King couldn't speak to reporters as a condition of his release.

The decision on King'sbail status came after a two-day bail review hearing last week. There's a publication ban on the evidence and reasons for the decision.

Kingwas back in an Ottawa courtroom after waiting months tohear if he would be released on bail, since his bail review in Aprilcame to an abrupt halt due to new charges against him and an apparent hacking of his lawyer's computer during the review.

King's then-defence lawyer had requested a review of thedecision to keep himin custodyuntil his trial begins.

Since then, King has tapped a new lawyer to fight for his releaseand defend him against a mounting number of charges.

King, an Alberta resident,was a leading figure in the weeks-long convoy protest against COVID-19 restrictions, and was arrested on Feb. 18 on four charges: mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court orderand counselling to obstruct police. He facesadditional charges of obstructing justice and perjury.

On Monday, JusticeAnne London-Weinstein read out the conditions of King's release. They are:

• To vacate Ottawa as soon as possible,and no later than 24 hours.
• To reside with a surety under supervisionuntil 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, BenjaminDichter, 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 Convoyand 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 mustpost a $25,000 cash bond, to guarantee his next court appearance.
• No possession of weapons or ammunition.

In June, a pastor who triedvisiting regularly with King in jail at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre said King was "pretty beat down."