“Coutts Four” Chris Carbert Released After Over Three Years in Custody

Chris Carbert on the drive home

Returning Home.

Chris Carbert, a key figure in the 2022 Coutts border blockade protests, has been released from custody after spending more than three years behind bars. His release follows a recent court decision that allowed him to return home while awaiting further legal proceedings.

Carbert was one of four individuals charged in connection with the weeks-long blockade at the Coutts, Alberta, border crossing, which disrupted trade and travel in early 2022. The protest, opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and government restrictions, became one of the most high-profile demonstrations of the broader anti-mandate movement in Canada.

The Coutts Four

Initially facing serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder—accusations that were later dropped—Carbert was ultimately convicted of mischief over $5,000. His prolonged detention became a point of contention, with supporters arguing his time in custody exceeded typical sentencing norms for such offenses.

A judge recently granted Carbert’s release, citing the length of time already served and the ongoing appeals process. He is now expected to return to his family while the legal proceedings continue.

Chris Carbert

The Coutts blockade remains a polarizing event, with some viewing it as an overreach of pandemic-era enforcement and others condemning its economic and social disruptions. Carbert’s case has drawn attention to debates over protest-related prosecutions and the balance between public order and civil liberties.