Trucks taking part in the February 2022 protest near the Coutts border crossing. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

By The Canadian Press with files from Pattison Media staff

Alberta

Charges stayed for Alberta man arrested at Coutts border blockade

Jul 15, 2022 | 2:40 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – There has been a stay of proceedings for a Red Deer man charged in the Coutts border blockade earlier this year.

Luke Berk, 63, saw his matters stayed during a Lethbridge Provincial Court appearance on July 12, 2022. The stay means his case has been paused indefinitely.

LNN has reached out to Berk’s lawyer for additional comments.

Berk was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief over $5,000 in the two-and-a-half week-long protest against COVID-19 restrictions and government health mandates.

Berk was among 11 individuals initially arrested at the protest near the Coutts border crossing on Feb. 14, 2022.

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A judge and jury trial, meantime, has been scheduled for next year for four men charged with conspiracy to commit murder at the border blockade.

Chris Carbert, Chris Lysak, Anthony Olienick, and Jerry Morin are being tried together from June 12 to 30, 2023.

On July 11, 2022, the Crown elected to proceed with a direct indictment against the foursome, eliminating the need for a preliminary hearing before trial.

Lysak, Olienick, and Morin have already been denied bail and will have been in custody for 16 months before the 2023 trial begins. A judge is expected to render a bail decision for Carbert next week.

Court has heard there is a large amount of information on the case, including wiretap audio and summaries.

READ MORE: Trial set in 2023 for men accused of conspiracy to murder at Coutts blockade