‘Freedom Convoy’ leader can’t travel abroad while on house arrest: judge

An Ontario judge has denied Tamara Lich's request to travel abroad as part of her work with Rebel News, despite her successful application for international travel during her house arrest. Lich, a key organizer of the 2022 "Freedom Convoy" protest in Ottawa, was found guilty of mischief in October last year and sentenced to 12 months of house arrest, including a curfew and 100 hours of community service.

Lich applied to the court in July for permission to travel internationally, which would include an interview in Arizona for a documentary, a future book tour, speaking appearances, and a Caribbean cruise fundraiser for Rebel. Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey stated that while Lich has followed the conditions of her sentence, denying her travel request would not affect her ability to work or jeopardize her employment.

The judge emphasized that Lich was sentenced to serve her time in the community through house arrest, and granting her travel request could undermine the punitive and denunciatory nature of her sentence.