For ministering at the 2022 Coutts blockade pastor Artur Pawlowski has been sentenced to 61 days in jail, less than time served, but has vowed to appeal the sentence.
Pawlowski sentenced to 61 days in prison on Coutts charges | Western Standard | Jonathan Bradley:
September 18, 2023 - "Street Church pastor Artur Pawlowski was sentenced to 61 days in jail for charges stemming from the Coutts Border Blockade, but he will not be incarcerated because of credit for time served....
"Pawlowski was arrested at his home by six police officers after he encouraged protestors at the Coutts Border Blockade to stay put in 2022. Pawlowski’s son Nathaniel said his father and he were getting ready to head to Coutts for the day when an undercover police minivan pulled up and six officers sprinted at them. Police told him that he was under arrest for mischief over $5,000.
"Pawlowski was released from the Calgary Remand Centre under strict bail conditions in 2022. His release followed 51 days of continuous incarceration between the Edmonton and Calgary detention centres — many of which were spent in forced solitary confinement and under what he said were excessive and cruel conditions. Under threat of re-arrest and detention, he was not permitted to speak to or wave to his supporters who had lined the sidewalks outside the building on his release to offer support. Other bail conditions included a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and house arrest — a combination he said was nonsensical and excessive.
"Pawlowski was found guilty of mischief, willfully damaging and destroying essential infrastructure and breaching a release order at the Coutts Border Blockade in May....
"Krinke said he determined the sentence after reviewing case law, oral presentations and reference letters. He described Pawlowski’s church duties and politics. The Crown attorney requested eight to 10 months in jail for mischief and one day concurrently for breach of order. His defence lawyers asked for seven days in jail for mischief and one for breach of order....
"Krinke said least restrictive sanctions are the best, but that would not apply as much in this case. He added a discharge would be inappropriate. For a fine, he said it would not reflect the gravity. Probation would not make a dent. He called incarceration 'required to achieve denunciation and deference.' While incarceration would be required, [Pawlowski] had 78 days banked from time served and has vowed to appeal his sentence.
"The mitigating factors were he had no prior criminal record, expedited the trial by agreeing to facts, and has helped poor people. The aggravating factors were the incident happened while he was under a court order and has not expressed contrition.
"Krinke concluded by saying Pawlowski would not be going back to jail."
Pawlowski Sentenced For Coutts Blockade Role | Micah Quinn | Bridge City News | September 18, 2023:
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