LETHBRIDGE, Alberta — Two Alberta men, Chris Carbert and Anthony Olienick, currently face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder against police officers, following their alleged actions during a blockade at the Coutts border crossing in early 2022. The blockade, which lasted two weeks, was a protest against COVID-19 restrictions that affected truckers, specifically the vaccine mandates.
During the trial in the Court of King’s Bench, Carbert maintained that there was no intention of violence from his side unless it was for self-defense in a hypothetically extreme scenario involving forced vaccination in a remote location. “There was no plan,” Carbert stated emphatically in court while being questioned by his attorney, Katherin Beyak.
In an attempt to explain the presence of weapons and modified body armor among his possessions, Carbert noted their utility for hunting or, in dire situations, personal protection. His testimony touched on hypothetical concerns about being pursued by authorities even in remote areas.
During the blockade, Carbert communicated with his mother via text messages, one of which he indicated readiness for conflict if provoked, expressing a grim resolve concerning the protest’s outcome. “If they start the violence, there will be war and casualties of war,” he texted, showcasing the heightened emotions and stakes perceived during the standoff.
The situation at the Coutts crossing came to a quick close as law enforcement intervened, seizing weapons and arresting several individuals, thereby dispersing the protesters without escalation into further violence. Both Carbert and Olienick also face charges of mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, with Olienick additionally charged with possessing a pipe bomb.
The case further complicated as evidence surfaced, including more weapons and ammunition found in proximity to the protest site and at Olienick’s residence, where two pipe bombs were also discovered. This arsenal contributed to the prosecutors’ argument that there was a planned conspiracy to target police.
Testimonies from undercover officers and evidences such as a seized police interrogation video shed light on Olienick’s perspective, revealing his intense distrust towards potential interventions by international forces or perceived threats, which he described as the “mission of a lifetime.”
The ongoing trial, which will continue with the cross-examination of Carbert by the Crown prosecution, unveils complexities surrounding the motives and preparedness of the accused during a period marked by heightened global unrest tied to pandemic-related measures.
The blockade at Coutts not only stirred significant disruptions but also spotlighted the intersection of public health directives and personal liberties, a contentious frontier in pandemic governance. This trial, thus, not only addresses the specific actions of the accused but also delves into broader themes of legal boundaries and individual rights during crisis situations. This legal proceeding is expected to further explore the dimensions of protest, prepared behavior for self-defense, and the limits of advocacy under the Canadian law.