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An Indo-Canadian protestor, arrested at the Summit of Americas in Quebec City last month and turned into a cause celebre, was released Monday on a $3,000 bail.
Jaggi Singh's 17-day imprisonment began after his arrest on the first day of protests outside the security fence that walled politicians, including United States President George W Bush, inside the old city's innards. Singh was charged with the possession of a dangerous weapon (a catapult built for launching teddy bears) and violating bail conditions for organizing a demonstration in Montreal last year.
Singh, 29, was released after Quebec Court Judge Laurent Dubé ruled that since there are no more Canadian events in the near future that would bring together heads of state or business leaders, Singh would be no danger to society.
As part of his conditions of release, though, Singh cannot play a leadership role in future peaceful protests, or use a megaphone during any protest.
In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Singh denied any leadership role in the protests, which were televised globally.
"I'm not a leader of anything although one of my conditions of release is that I'm not to be a leader," he said. "A very anarchist condition of release I guess." Singh said he intends to fight the conditions of his release.
Singh was denied bail last week after another ruling determined he had violated bail conditions related to his arrest in a protest a year ago. That decision rallied Singh's supporters to demand for his release, and the number of signatures on a petition to free him reached more than 6,000 by the end of last week. The charges were dropped, and Singh was allowed bail.
Singh has given little details about his background. From previous reports, he has said that his father, a Sikh taxi driver in Toronto, left the family when he was born. He was raised by his Catholic mother, in the Pina Plaza area near Don Mills and Finch, where he moved at an early age.
He scored top grades at elementary school and at St Michael's College, where he graduated before attending the University of Toronto's prestigious Trinity College on a scholarship.
Singh has waived his preliminary hearing and his case will go directly to trial before a jury. The trial date will be set on June 4.
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