By Canadian Press

Trial of Coutts protesters resumes after men convicted of mischief, weapons charges

Aug 12, 2024 | 2:04 AM

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Lawyers for two men convicted of mischief at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., are scheduled to appear in court today as the case moves toward sentencing.

A jury on Aug. 2 also found Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert guilty of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and Olienick was convicted of possessing a pipe bomb.

They were acquitted of the more serious charge of conspiring to murder police officers.

RCMP found a cache of weapons, ammunition and body armour near the blockade at the Canada-U.S. border crossing in 2022.

The blockade was one of several held across the country to protest COVID-19 rules and vaccine mandates.

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The trial heard statements and text messages from the men warning that the blockade was also a last stand against a tyrannical federal government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press

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