Hamza Babou, a UQAM student facing charges assault charges related to a turbulent few weeks at the Montreal university, was granted bail Thursday but still was not released.
Justice James Brunton conceded that an earlier decision to keep Babou in jail was wrong. He ordered Babou released on the condition that he reside with his family in St. Jean and post a $750 bail.
However Babou remained behind bars nonetheless, as he is facing new charges which will be announced Friday.
Babou had been detained since his arrest on April 15, on charges of assault, mischief, harassment, unlawful assembly after he took part in a protest at UQAM two weeks ago.
Two days later, municipal court Justice Denis Laberge refused Babou's released on bail pending trial, saying releasing Babou would undermine public trust in the justice system
The judge also said that because Babou was arrested during a protest at UQAM, while an injunction barred protests at UQAM, he did not believe Babou would respect any other court orders.
In Superior court on Thursday Babou's attorney, Veronique Robert, argued the lower court judge made an error.
The case was watched by many of Babou's supporters who held a banner outside the courthouse saying they did not care about public opinion and that all arrests were "political detentions."
Babou is facing 14 charges stemming from his arrest at UQAM, including allegedly spraying a security guard with silly string.
