Trial set in 2023 for men accused of conspiracy to murder at Alberta border blockade

A trial for four men charged with conspiracy to commit murder at a border blockade in southern Alberta has been scheduled for next year.

Chris Carbert, Chris Lysak, Anthony Olienick and Jerry Morin were among 14 people charged in February after RCMP found a cache of guns, body armour and ammunition in trailers at the protest near Coutts, Alta.

The four are to stand trial together from June 12 to 30.

The three-week trial is scheduled to take place before a judge and jury.

The protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions began in late January and lasted almost three weeks.

Police have alleged a group at the protest was willing to use force if the blockade was disrupted and described the threat as “very serious.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2022.