Advertisement

Court date set for Calgary pastor accused of organizing and promoting gatherings

Click to play video: 'Police, government ‘had no choice’ but to crack down on Alberta public health order violators: criminologist'
Police, government ‘had no choice’ but to crack down on Alberta public health order violators: criminologist
Police in Alberta made some high-profile public health order arrests this past weekend, taking into custody both a central Alberta café owner and two Calgary church service organizers. People fighting restrictions call the police action heavy-handed, while other say it's long overdue and a public health imperative. Fletcher Kent has more – May 10, 2021

A court date has been set for a Calgary pastor accused of violating public health orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Calgary police released Artur Pawlowski from custody yesterday evening.

He was arrested Saturday and charged for organizing an illegal in-person gathering, and promoting and attending an illegal gathering.

The 48-year-old pastor’s arrest followed a court order that allowed Alberta Health Services and police to take legal action against organizers of advertised illegal gatherings breaching COVID-19 public health orders.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

The agency says there is an urgent need to minimize spread to protect all Albertans as COVID-19 cases increase in the province.

Story continues below advertisement

Pawlowski is to appear in court on May 17.

Rallies and protests against lockdowns, masks and other COVID-19 regulations have been occurring regularly in Alberta.

Also Saturday, police ticketed protesters leaving a rally against public health restrictions outside a central Alberta cafe after the establishment was closed by health officials earlier in the week.

Hundreds of people also gathered the weekend before near Bowden, also in central Alberta, for a pre-advertised maskless “No More Lockdowns”’ protest rodeo.

Sponsored content

AdChoices