Calgary resident Mason John Baker, 23, and Edmonton resident Garry Belzevick, 67, were arrested in June.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have arrested two Alberta men accused of threatening to kill federal politicians. The RCMP Federal Policing Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), Northwest Region charged and arrested Calgary resident Mason John Baker, 23, on June 6 for “uttering threats against a person contrary to section 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code,” according to an RCMP news release. Baker allegedly made the threats against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on X.
The RCMP then arrested Edmonton resident Garry Belzevick, 67, on June 13 and charged him with three counts under the same section of the Criminal Code of Canada for allegedly threatening Trudeau, Finance Minister Chystia Freeland and New Democratic leader Jagmeet Singh.
The RCMP reports that “Baker is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on July 23, 2024. Belzevick is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on July 25, 2024.”
“In the digital age, where so many interactions occur online and are perceived to be anonymous, there is a belief that virtual actions and words do not have consequences,” stated Insp. Matthew Johnson, Acting Officer in Charge of RCMP Federal Policing INSET, Northwest Region.