Group demands police reply on blogger's arrest

A national civil liberties group says it is still waiting for a response from the Fredericton Police after writing for information about the arrest of a well-known local blogger. 

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association wrote a letter to the force's chief after Charles LeBlanc's arrest in January.

LeBlanc was held in custody while officers searched his apartment and seized computer equipment in connection with a criminal libel investigation.

The alleged victim is a member of the police force.

Abby Deshman, who deals with public safety issues for the association, asked Barry MacKnight, the city's chief of police, whether charges have been approved by the attorney general.

She also asked whether the officer LeBlanc is alleged to have libeled was involved in the investigation or present during the search and what kind of oversight there is for this type of case.

"These actions need to be followed up on and not receiving a response, for us, it really underscores that this is not being taken seriously," said Deshman.

Deshman sent the police department an official right to information request Wednesday.

The Fredericton police told her Thursday that a reply was mailed more than a week ago.

"I don't want to be unfair to them and say that we've been ignored if they have sent the letter, but we certainly haven't received it yet," she said.