A judge reserved his decision Tuesday on bail for one of four people charged with conspiracy to commit murder after arrests at last month’s border blockade at Coutts, Alta.
Christopher Lysak, 48, appeared by video at a bail hearing from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.
Lysak was also charged Feb. 14 with uttering threats, possession of a weapon and mischief to property over $5,000.
A publication ban prohibits releasing any details from the bail hearing.
Justice Vaughan Hartigan of Court of Queen’s Bench set the matter over to Wednesday and said he hoped to have a decision at that time.
Thirteen people were charged after RCMP found a cache of 13 long guns, handguns, body armour, large amounts of ammunition and high-capacity magazines in three trailers.
Two tactical vests seized had badges on them, which the Canadian Anti-Hate Network said have links to troubling movements.
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One vest had a “Diagolon” patch on it, a white diagonal line across a black rectangle, that the network says is linked to an often conspiratorial and antisemitic group.
RCMP also said a semi-truck and farm tractor had attempted to ram a police cruiser.
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Police said the threat was “very serious” and the group was willing to use force if the blockade was disrupted.
“The dangerous criminal activity occurring away from the TV cameras and social media posts was real and organized,” RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, commanding officer of Alberta RCMP, said after the arrests.
“It could have been deadly for citizens, protesters and officers.”
The blockade, which ended at Coutts on Feb. 16, was one of several demonstrations in Canadian cities and border points that stalled trade, stranded travellers and disrupted lives of area residents, particularly in Ottawa.
Protesters had been restricting access to the busy crossing near Coutts since Jan. 29 to rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truckers and broader pandemic public health restrictions.
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Protests have exposed deep divisions in Canada -
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Some Coutts border protesters were making plans to block cargo terminals at airports across the country -
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Public safety minister links blockade protesters to far-right extremists -
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Edmonton security firm links Coutts protesters and far-right extremist groups -
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Alberta border protest blockade clears after police seize weapons -
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Trucker protests: Coutts blockade dismantled in Alberta, allowing border operations to resume -
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Weapons and ammunition seized at border blockade in Coutts, Alberta -
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Investigation into threats and weapons at Coutts border blockade continuing: Alberta RCMP
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