Ottawa police arrest key organizers of protests

Ottawa police have arrested and laid charges against two organizers of the "Freedom Convoy" which has occupied the Canadian capital city's downtown for three weeks in opposition to vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions, reported Xinhua.

According to the press release issued by the Ottawa Police on Friday, Christopher John Barber, 46, of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, arrested Thursday night, is charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to commit the offence of obstructing police.

Tamara Lich, 49, of Medicine Hat, Alberta, is also charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief.

Both of them are scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

The Ottawa Police continued to issue a notice to protestors advising that anyone blocking streets, or assisting others in the blocking streets, are committing a criminal offence and could be arrested.

Protestors were also informed to cease further unlawful activity, or they would face charges or fines, the Ottawa Police said.