(Lethbridge) A Crown prosecutor has suggested that two men convicted of mischief and weapons offences during the 2022 border blockade in Coutts, Alta., get nine years in prison.
Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert were found guilty earlier this month of public mischief over $5,000 and possession of a firearm dangerous to the public peace.
Mr. Olienick was also convicted of possessing a pipe bomb.
A jury, however, found them not guilty of the most serious charge they faced, conspiracy to murder police officers.
Crown prosecutor Steven Johnston argued at a sentencing hearing that the case was not about the right to protest government policy and that belief in a cause does not excuse committing a crime.
The blockade was one of many demonstrations held across the country to protest health regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination promoted by the government.
Mr. Olienick and Mr. Carbert were charged after RCMP found firearms, ammunition and body armor in trailers near the blockade at the key Canada-U.S. border crossing.
Additional firearms, ammunition and two pipe bombs were found at Mr. Olienick’s home in Claresholm, Alta.
Judge David Labrenz is expected to hand down the sentences Friday.
Two other protesters accused of conspiracy to commit murder at the blockade pleaded guilty earlier this year to lesser charges.
Christopher Lysak was sentenced to three years in prison for possession of a restricted firearm in an unauthorized place. Jerry Morin was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for conspiracy to traffic in firearms.
These sentences correspond to the time the men spent in pre-trial detention.