Hearings for accused in Coutts border blockade pushed to March
Four Alberta men accused of plotting to kill Mounties during the Coutts border blockade had court hearings postponed to next month on Friday.
A Lethbridge judge adjourned the matter to March 15 after learning from the lawyer representing two of the defendants that more time was needed to prepare the case.
The prosecution agreed, saying it also needed time to review the evidence.
Chris Carbert, Christopher Lysak, Anthony Olienick and Jerry Morin remain in custody.
Police arrested them on Monday, accusing the four of planning to take action against Mounties if officers moved in.
“The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade,” RCMP said in a release on Monday.
They did not appear in court, either in-person or via video link.
Three of the accused were known to police before the illegal blockade.
Carbert has an extensive rap sheet, including charges for drug trafficking and assault.
Morin has previously been sentenced for unauthorized possession of a firearm and making threats.
DIAGOLON
Lysak was also known to police — and to The Canadian Anti-Hate Network (CAHN).
They believe he's part of a right wing militia group.
"They talk about going after their perceived enemies, such as media, certain political parties and anybody they deem to be communist," CAHN's Kurt Phillips told CTV News. "I could certainly understand why they would want to be in kind of the tip of the spear, so to speak, to see what they can do to widen those divisions further."
The group, Diagolon, left online traces of its presence in Coutts.
Patches with its insignia were found on a vest police seized in a weapons bust on Monday.
It can be categorized as an “accelerationist” group, according to researchers who study extremism. CAHN calls it a loose network of people with neo-fascist, militant views.
Without naming any specific group, federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino alluded to ties between protesters in Ottawa and the Alberta arrests while speaking to reporters Wednesday.
"Several of the individuals at Coutts have strong ties to a far-right extreme organization with leaders who are in Ottawa," he said. "We’re talking about a group that is organized, agile, knowledgeable and driven by an extremist ideology where might makes right.”
Earlier this week, officers executed a public safety warrant at Lysak's father's home.
No one answered the door when CTV News knocked on Friday.
'A WAR'
Carbert and Morin frequently posted on social media during the blockade.
During one stream, the latter stated the Coutts situation was "a war."
Morin also appeared to live broadcast his vehicle being pulled over by RCMP on Monday morning. It's believed that's when he was arrested.
His lawyer said Friday he is preparing bail applications for his clients.
COUTTS BLOCKADE CHARGES
The four accused men are scheduled to be included on a full court docket March 15.
Nine others who were charged in connection with the blockade are also slated to appear.
Ursula Allred of Magrath, Luke Berk of Red Deer, Evan Colenutt, Justin Martin, Stewart Eastin Oler and Janx Zaremba of Raymond, Johnson Law of Calgary, Joanne Person of Coutts and Jaclyne Martin are also facing charges.
Allred, Berk, Martin, Oler, Zaremba and Law have been released on bail.
Their conditions include having no contact with their co-accused. They're also not allowed at any protests.
Charges against Berk and Law were later withdrawn.
LENGTHY LEGAL BATTLES
One University of Alberta Law Professor says he'll be watching the cases closely -- especially the cases involving conspiracy charges.
"They are very, very serious charges," said Peter Sankoff. "They will face a very lengthy period of imprisonment if they’re convicted. I’m guessing that the police are sitting on some pretty interesting evidence, most likely statements or wiretaps."
RCMP discovered a cache of weapons, ammunition and body armour earlier this week, leading to the arrests and eventual break up of the weeks-long blockade.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
With files from CTV Calgary's Timm Bruch
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6945600.1719608806!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'We need new leadership': Liberal MP writes to caucus, says Justin Trudeau should resign
A sitting Liberal MP has written to the federal caucus to say he thinks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should resign. 'For the future of our party and for the good of our country we need new leadership and a new direction,' said New Brunswick MP Wayne Long in the brief note.
WestJet warns of travel disruption as mechanics union opts to 'continue with strike action'
WestJet says it is 'outraged' after its airline maintenance engineers went ahead with their previously threatened strike on Friday evening.
Minivan slams into a Long Island nail salon, killing 4 and injuring 9, fire official says
A minivan slammed into a Long Island nail salon Friday, killing four people and injuring 9, a Suffolk County fire official said.
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Martin Mull, hip comic and actor from 'Fernwood Tonight' and 'Roseanne,' dies at 80
Martin Mull, whose droll, esoteric comedy and acting made him a hip sensation in the 1970s and later a beloved guest star on sitcoms including 'Roseanne' and 'Arrested Development,' has died, his daughter said Friday.
Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan to become first woman to lead Canadian Armed Forces
Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan will be named Canada's new Chief of the Defence Staff, CTV News has learned, making her the first woman to lead the Canadian Armed Forces.
Multivitamins don't help you live longer, study suggests
Millions of people who take multivitamins everyday may not be reaping the perceived health benefits, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Is marriage harder than it was 10 years ago? Why one psychologist thinks so
Marriage might be the oldest institution in the world, but it's struggling to adapt to the pressures of modern life. Registered psychologist Adisa Azubuike explains why it's more difficult today.
Five survivors from Sudbury, Ont., rescued in human trafficking investigation
Six people have been charged in a provincial human trafficking investigation that identified five survivors from Greater Sudbury.