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A protest at the Whistle Stop in Mirror, AB. (Canadian Press)
adjourned

Whistle Stop owner, Pawlowskis have cases adjourned to Sept., AHS seeking jail time

Jul 27, 2021 | 4:14 PM

CALGARY – Sentencing arguments for a Calgary pastor and his brother found guilty of contempt for deliberately violating COVID-19 health orders have been put over until September.

Pastor Artur Pawlowski and his brother Dawid Pawlowski were arrested in May and accused of organizing an illegal gathering as well as promoting and attending an illegal gathering.

The arrests came after court orders were granted allowing Alberta Health Services and police to arrest and charge those who advertise gatherings that would breach health restrictions.

Last month, Justice Adam Germain found Alberta Health Services had proven “nearly to absolute certainty” that the two men were guilty of contempt.

Discussions on possible sanctions were scheduled for today, but the lawyer for the Pawlowskis asked for a delay since Alberta Health Services was preparing further affidavits against her clients.

AHS has indicated it would be seeking 21 days of jail time for the two men.

The case is to return to court on Sept. 13.

(Canadian Press)

Meantime, Christopher Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Café in Mirror, who was also found guilty of contempt following similar actions he took in May of this year, appeared virtually in court today.

Scott’s case was also presided over by Justice Germain.

BACKGROUND: Café owner found guilty of breaching public health orders

Once again, AHS indicated it is seeking jail time for Scott, though didn’t specify a length.

Scott’s lawyers indicated they are preparing a constitutional challenge with respect to the CMOH public health orders.

The case was also adjourned until Sept. 17.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)