March 28, 2022 • 6 hours ago • 4 minute reading Randy Hillier was photographed at the Ottawa Police Headquarters on Monday, where he was handed over to police. Photo by Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
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Randy Hillier, MP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, was released on bail on a lengthy parole after turning to Ottawa police Monday morning to face nine criminal charges in connection with the weekly Occupy Freedom convoy. on the streets of the city center.
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One of these allegations alleges that Hillier, 64, encouraged his numerous followers on social media to flood non-emergency police lines during the rally, when Ottawa police begged the public to hold on. open these telephone lines. Hillier’s tweet on February 19 reached 56,000 followers, and over the next six days, the Ottawa Police Department’s non-emergency hotline recorded 274 malicious calls, according to an outline of the Crown v. Hillier case, and there was an “extension”. to similar calls on line 911 of the city. Hillier told his Twitter followers at the time to “keep calling” the non-emergency line and said that “in a democracy, expression is a fundamental freedom.” The attack, which was outlined during Monday’s court hearing, alleges that Hillier, who paraded with a group of PPC chief Maxime Bernier, ignored an officer’s instructions as the protest rallied on Parliament Hill and then “threw” »A metal gate from the street.
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Hillier shouted, “Let’s go!” as he used his shoulder and hip to push the policeman off the street, while a group of protesters were forced to pass through the roadblock, according to the outline of the case by the Crown. About 10 hours after surrendering to the Ottawa police headquarters, smoking a cigarette and telling reporters that he was a freedom fighter being prosecuted for dissenting views, Hillier was released from an Ottawa court and taken back to his home in Perth. He will live there under the supervision of his wife, Jane Hillier, who will act as a court-approved guarantor after paying $ 25,000 bail, while Hillier paid an additional $ 10,000 bail. Hillier told Peace Judge Louise Logue that he understood and agreed to comply with the terms, which include a list of restrictions negotiated throughout the day between the Crown’s office and Hillier’s lawyer in Ottawa, David Anber.
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Anber said Hillier was briefed by Ottawa police on the charges Sunday. “When Randy was notified that they wanted to surrender, he immediately made arrangements to do so and was there bright and early this morning,” said Amber, who expects Hillier to face charges at trial. “He denies that he committed any of these crimes and we will fight them vigorously.” Hillier, a visible presence during the three weeks of convoy protests, now formally faces two counts of malice, two counts of counseling for a crime, one count of counseling someone to commit a crime, three counts of resisting or obstructing a public official or official. , and an attack on a civil servant or peace officer. He denied the allegations when asked by reporters outside the police station on Monday morning.
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“I never greeted people only with love and affection and hugs and handshakes. “So, unless handshakes or warm hugs are now considered an attack, I have no idea,” he said. In describing the events behind each of the criminal charges, Assistant Attorney General Tim Wightman claimed that Hillier was directly involved in honking the trucks, encouraging truckers to participate in the inflated protest, directing vehicles to the core of the city center and to park illegally. . Hillier “actively encouraged” others to join the protest even after the implementation of several emergency orders, Whitman told the court and called on people to bring fuel and food to the protesters as the “occupation” continued.
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Hillier was released on another condition that effectively barred him from entering the city center, other than appearing in court or consulting his lawyer, and he was barred from contacting a growing list of escorts and defendants. organizers – a list that now includes at least 18 names. Amber argued with the Crown against a Hillier release order restricting the use of social media. Wightman said Hillier’s social media accounts were “his tool of choice to promote dangerous rhetoric” and argued that Hillier should be banned from posting on social media any reviews of COVID-19 regulations, cover-up requirements or anything related to the “vaccine cause”. Anber argued that this condition would prevent Hillier from performing his duties as an elected official.
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“(Hillier) would be barred – as a member of the county legislature – from commenting on vaccine prescribing policy, mask prescribing policy and other forms of policy concerning those public health measures introduced by the Ford Government,” Amber said. “Sir. Hillier was elected to perform these duties.” The judge sided with the Crown and enforced the order, and although Amber stressed his respect for the presiding judge, “I think he did it wrong,” he said after the hearing. “But Mr Hillier will certainly comply with this even if he chooses to seek a review of the bail in the Supreme Court.” Anber suggested that Hillier could appeal the condition and request a review of the warranty. He disagreed with the Crown’s claim that he had created a strong case against his client. “I do not characterize their case as strong – not at all,” said Anber. “There are many issues that we intend to address in all areas.” – With files by Taylor Blewett [email protected] Twitter.com/helmera
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