[Peace-discuss] Quebec Student Leader Jailed Indefinitely for Protesting

[David Johnson]

Quebec Student Leader Jailed Indefinitely for Protesting 

 

 

Police watch protesters gather as thousands join a student-led protest
against the provincial government Police watch protesters gather as
thousands join a student-led protest against the provincial government's
austerity measures in Montreal, April 2, 2015. | Photo: Reuters Previous
Next Published 22 April 2015 (9 hours 15 minutes ago) 0 Coments The
student's lawyer believes the judge is trying to make an example out of him
in an effort to discourage student protests. A student leader from the
University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) was jailed indefinitely, pending his
trial, in what the student's lawyer is calling a "political judgment."
According to Ricochet Media, Hamza Baboz, an undergraduate student involved
with his university's ongoing student strike, is facing 14 counts of
assault, armed assault, mischief, stalking, uttering threats and unlawful
assembly. The charges stem from a stand off on April 15 between university
security personnel and students who were trying to enforce a strike mandate
issued in a democratic assembly held by the student body to protest
government cuts to education and social programs. The most serious charge of
armed assault, is based on Baboz's alleged use of "silly string" against a
security official, who did not report an injury. The prosecution is
proceeding with summary charges, which, in the Canadian legal system, are
less serious than indictment charges. "It is exceedingly rare to hold a
defendant in custody at this stage, especially for summary offenses, because
they are presumed innocent," Baboz's lawyer Veronique Robert told La Presse.
The prosecution is also seeking jail-time should Baboz be convicted. His
lawyer believes the judge is trying to make an example out of him. "You're
involved in a crusade, and it's difficult to see where it will end," Judge
Denis Laberge said to Baboz in delivering his verdict Friday. Quebec has
been rattled by massive protests, led by students in the province, who
oppose the government's austerity agenda. Students in Quebec have a long
tradition of resisting efforts by political parties of various stripes to
dismantle the province's social programs. 

This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address: 
 
<http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Quebec-Student-Leader-Jailed-Indefini
tely-for-Protesting-20150422-0003.html>
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Quebec-Student-Leader-Jailed-Indefinit
ely-for-Protesting-20150422-0003.html. If you intend to use it, please cite
the source and provide a link to the original article.
www.teleSURtv.net/english

 

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