Bail Denied a Second Time for Chris Carbert, Member of ‘Coutts Four’

Chris Carbert, Member of ‘Coutts Four,’ Denied Bail for the Second Time

January 16, 2024 TruthUSA

Chris Carbert, one of the four men charged in connection with the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta., was denied bail at a hearing on Jan. 15. The four men have been in jail for 703 days under pre-trial detention.

It is the second time that Mr. Carbert’s request for bail has been denied, with the first request being denied back in May 2022. The reasons for the judge’s decisions are protected by a publication ban, but the Crown previously indicated it planned to try the four men together.

The three other accused are set to stand trial from April 2 to April 19, 2024.

“I’m hopeful that going forward, more positive things will come out of all of this because eventually the truth will come out. I can’t even imagine what my son’s going through right now. He was very hopeful that he would be out today,” said Mr. Carbert’s mother Betty Carbert in an
interview with Media Bezirgan following the ruling.

Legal Concerns

Some members of
law enforcement and legal experts have raised concerns about the four men being denied bail, suggesting that the criminal case has been “politically influenced.” Donald Best, a former sergeant with the Toronto Police Service, told The Epoch Times that Canadians arrested for crimes like robbery and attempted murder are regularly given bail.

James Kitchen, chief litigator for Liberty Coalition Canada, told The Epoch Times that bail should not be denied for any longer than “absolutely necessary” as it is “one of the worst violations of liberty and it’s tyrannical to keep people for a long period of time without a really good reason.”

Under Canadian law, any person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty of the crime, and the accused has the right to bail unless there is a compelling reason to keep them in custody.

According to the Criminal Code bail may be denied in cases where detention is necessary to ensure attendance in court or necessary for public safety, “considering any substantial likelihood of reoffending upon release;” or is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice, considering the “apparent strength of the prosecution’s case, the gravity of the offence, the circumstances surrounding its commission, and the potential for a lengthy prison term.”

The Alberta RCMP has told The Epoch Times they would not comment on the case, as it is still before the courts.