Spectator shown intimidating message during public gallery of Sheikh appeal hearing
The targeting of members of the public and journalists who simply attend the proceedings exposes a troubling attempt to control the narrative around the Sheikh case.
Article by Rebel News staff
A message sent by supporters of the complainant to spectators in the public gallery was shown to a Rebel News reporter on the final day of a two-week wrongful termination appeal hearing for former Regina police chief Farooq Sheikh.
The hearing, held before a three-member panel of the Saskatchewan Police Commission at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Regina, featured Mitchell Holash representing the police union side, and Scott Hopley and Brian Pfefferle representing the defence. Members of the public and press shared rows of seating behind the lawyers' tables throughout the proceedings.
Rebel News reporter Lise Merle, who attended all five days of the hearing, said a fellow spectator approached her on the last day and showed her a text message on their phone.
The message described a retired member of the public who had been attending the hearing as "just as shitty" as Sheikh, and suggested he was too stupid to recognize what was "obvious" about the case.
The incident is consistent with a pattern tracked over the past year, in which individuals connected to the Complainant have targeted members of the public and press who engaged with the case, both online and in person.
Two publication bans currently apply to portions of the case. Rebel News is complying with those bans while pursuing legal challenges against them.
Rebel News will not be intimidated, and intend to continue reporting.
Lise Merle
Lise Merle is a media maven covering government, culture, and regional policy from the wilds of Saskatchewan. As a mother of 6 and author of bestselling children's book 'Buck the Rainbow Unicorn', she is a fierce advocate for family rights and the sworn enemy of woke.
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