Alberta Pastor Jailed for Violating COVID-19 Health Orders to Be Released: Justice Centre

Supporters rally outside court as Pastor James Coates, of GraceLife Church, is in court to appeal the bail conditions, after he was arrested for holding day services in violation of COVID-19 rules in Edmonton, Alta., on March 4, 2021. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press

EDMONTON—A group that supports an Alberta pastor jailed after being charged with violating COVID-19 public-health orders says it expects him to be released in the coming days.

Crown prosecutors have dropped all but one charge against James Coates and have agreed to his release without bail conditions, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said Wednesday.