The Democracy Fund (TDF) said charges against Street Church pastor Artur Pawlowski, arising from him feeding homeless people and attending a freedom walk, have been stayed by the Crown. .“This is an incredibly late resolution in Mr. Pawlowski’s favour,” said TDF lawyer Sarah Miller in a Tuesday press release. .“The entire prosecution was flawed, from a weak case to extremely late disclosure, to inconsistent witnesses, to unreasonable delays.”.The release said Pawlowski was charged for attending gatherings allegedly in breach of COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. It said he faced the possibility of a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted. .The charges have been outstanding for the last 23 months, and he endured a five-day trial. .The release went on to say the Crown decided to stay the prosecution on Friday. It said this stay represents another victory for him in his fight to defend freedom of religion and civil liberties in Canada. .“It will be a relief for Mr. Pawlowski once the stay expires and this prosecution is no longer hanging over him,” said Miller. .The Calgary Police Service (CPS) arrested Pawlowski and his brother Dawid in 2021 because they were flouting COVID-19 restrictions by holding packed church services and organizing protests..READ MORE: WATCH: Calgary police arrest Pastor Pawlowski for breaching COVID lockdown.“Earlier today, police arrested an organizer of a church service who was in violation of a new court order obtained by Alberta Health Services in relation to mandatory compliance of public health orders for gatherings,” said CPS..Pawlowski was pulled over driving westbound on 17 Avenue at Deerfoot Trail. He exited his vehicle and was handcuffed while kneeling in the middle of the road..An appeal panel of three Alberta judges ruled in favour of appeals by Pawlowski and Whistle Stop Cafe owner Chris Scott in July, overturning earlier charges of contempt. .READ MORE: Pawlowski, Scott win in Alberta appeals court.The decision tossed the contempt of court findings against the Pawlowskis for breaching an injunction prohibiting social gatherings during lockdowns. .The panel of judges, consisting of justices Barbara Lea Veldhuis, Michelle Crighton, and Jo'Anne Strekaf, concluded the injunction from 2021 banning protests did not apply to the brothers.
The Democracy Fund (TDF) said charges against Street Church pastor Artur Pawlowski, arising from him feeding homeless people and attending a freedom walk, have been stayed by the Crown. .“This is an incredibly late resolution in Mr. Pawlowski’s favour,” said TDF lawyer Sarah Miller in a Tuesday press release. .“The entire prosecution was flawed, from a weak case to extremely late disclosure, to inconsistent witnesses, to unreasonable delays.”.The release said Pawlowski was charged for attending gatherings allegedly in breach of COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. It said he faced the possibility of a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted. .The charges have been outstanding for the last 23 months, and he endured a five-day trial. .The release went on to say the Crown decided to stay the prosecution on Friday. It said this stay represents another victory for him in his fight to defend freedom of religion and civil liberties in Canada. .“It will be a relief for Mr. Pawlowski once the stay expires and this prosecution is no longer hanging over him,” said Miller. .The Calgary Police Service (CPS) arrested Pawlowski and his brother Dawid in 2021 because they were flouting COVID-19 restrictions by holding packed church services and organizing protests..READ MORE: WATCH: Calgary police arrest Pastor Pawlowski for breaching COVID lockdown.“Earlier today, police arrested an organizer of a church service who was in violation of a new court order obtained by Alberta Health Services in relation to mandatory compliance of public health orders for gatherings,” said CPS..Pawlowski was pulled over driving westbound on 17 Avenue at Deerfoot Trail. He exited his vehicle and was handcuffed while kneeling in the middle of the road..An appeal panel of three Alberta judges ruled in favour of appeals by Pawlowski and Whistle Stop Cafe owner Chris Scott in July, overturning earlier charges of contempt. .READ MORE: Pawlowski, Scott win in Alberta appeals court.The decision tossed the contempt of court findings against the Pawlowskis for breaching an injunction prohibiting social gatherings during lockdowns. .The panel of judges, consisting of justices Barbara Lea Veldhuis, Michelle Crighton, and Jo'Anne Strekaf, concluded the injunction from 2021 banning protests did not apply to the brothers.
