Friday January 15th, 2010 - Charges Still Pending in Oil Pipeline Bombings

Although new evidence was gathered, it was not sufficient for RCMP to press charges against Wiebo Ludwig, accused of a series of EnCana sour gas pipeline bombings. Among the evidence seized from Ludwig’s ranch during a four-day search were a fax machine and computers. Ludwig was also compelled to submit a DNA sample at his January 8 arrest, which occurred at roughly the same time as the search of his property. Following his arrest, Ludwig was interrogated for several hours by RCMP, then released the following day. Ludwig is a longtime vocal opponent of the petroleum and gas industries. He claims that his family has developed health problems from sour gas wells. He was convicted on a number of pipeline bombing and vandalism charges during the 1990s. Having served two-thirds of his 28-month sentence, he was released from prison in 2001.

Tim Shields, an inspector with the RCMP, said he was unable to offer specific comments beyond confirming that additional evidence was found at Ludwig’s property, which encompasses some 300 hectares. The ranch is near Hythe, which is approximately 500 kilometres to the northwest of Edmonton. Shields advised that the evidence found at Ludwig’s ranch would be forwarded to Crown counsel after being examined by forensics experts. Shields also offered thanks to residents at Ludwig’s property for their cooperation during the search process.

Pipeline bombings started in British Columbia in October 2008. They have caused no injuries to humans, but police refer to them as acts of domestic terrorism.

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