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Oilpatch activist released without charges in EnCana bombings

GRANDE PRAIRIE — Wiebo Ludwig was released without charges Saturday following his arrest a day earlier in connection with a series of pipeline bombings in northeastern British Columbia.

Mr. Ludwig, a convicted oilpatch bomber from rural Alberta, was arrested Friday and told his lawyer he was facing a charge of extortion in connection with a series of pipeline and wellhead bombings over the past 15 months.

It was a seemingly bizarre turn of events, as Mr. Ludwig had publicly said he was helping the investigators working to stop the attacks on EnCana infrastructure.

Mr. Ludwig’s lawyer, Paul Moreau, confirmed his client’s release Saturday.

Mr. Ludwig is a longtime activist who claimed sour gas wells adversely affected human health, including that of his family members.

He was released from prison in 2001 after serving two-thirds of a 28-month sentence for five charges related to oilpatch bombing and vandalism.