Protesters of “Freedom Convoy” Blockade Found Not Guilty

Two men from Alberta, Canada, who were accused of conspiring to murder the RCMP police during the “Freedom Convoy” protests over Covid-19 measures have been declared not guilty.

A border blockade in Alberta province yielded firearms, body armour, and ammunition, which led to the arrest of Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert. The “Freedom Convoy” protests that erupted in Canada in early 2022 included the blockade in the village of Coutts.

Prosecutors had contended that the men intended to incite a revolution and perpetrate violence against Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers.

Nevertheless, Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert were both found guilty of mischief and possession of a weapon for a hazardous purpose. It was also determined that Olienick possessed a pipe explosive. Their attorneys contended that the two were concerned about losing their liberties but did not harbour any violent intentions.

The Coutts blockade impeded traffic at a section of the boundary between Alberta and the United States state of Montana for a period of two weeks. The Freedom Convoy truck protest in Ottawa served as the catalyst for a series of demonstrations regarding vaccine mandates and Covid-19 restrictions.

Freedom Convoy departs for Alberta, Canada – VORNews Image

Freedom Convoy to Ottawa

In early 2022, approximately 400 trucks and other vehicles converged on the capital of Canada, obstructing the roadways for a period of three weeks. Ontario and Michigan were the sites of yet another obstruction at the US-Canada border.

Invoking the Emergencies Act for the first time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded the vehicle protest. It enabled the police to clear the streets and freeze the bank accounts of demonstrators.

RCMP officers approached the Coutts blockade at approximately the same time. They apprehended 13 individuals and confiscated weapons, including firearms, a machete, and high-capacity magazines.

Mr. Olienick’s residence revealed additional weapons, ammunition, and pipe explosives.

In the initial phase, the police charged four individuals in connection with the obstruction, including Mr. Olienick and Mr. Carbert. Early this year, the two additional defendants entered guilty pleas to charges that were less severe.

Undercover officers informed jurors that Mr. Olienick had expressed his belief that the police were agents of the “devil” Mr. Trudeau and had threatened to “slit their throats” if they attempted to storm the blockade during the trial.

The police denied that a female undercover officer had ensnared Mr. Olienick by flirting with him in order to obtain information, according to his attorney.

Pat King, an organiser of the Ottawa protest, was also accused with involvement in the Freedom Convoy protests. His trial concluded last week. Expected in October is a decision.

Separately, protest activists Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are currently undergoing a joint trial in relation to the Ottawa disturbances. Not culpable of mischief and intimidation, they have expressed their satisfaction.