3 men enter guilty pleas in 2017 Abbotsford slaying

UPDATE Feb. 13, 2023: The BC Prosecution Service says one of the accused,Edrick Raju,has been sentenced to eightyears imprisonment for conspiracy and 14 yearsfor manslaughter, to be served concurrently.

Police say three menhave entered guilty pleas in relation to the 2017 shooting deathof 24-year-old Alexander Blanarou, who died in what is believed to be a targeted killing related to drugs.

TheIntegrated Homicide Investigation Team(IHIT) said in a statement Thursday that Michael Schweigerpleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to manslaughter on Dec. 5.

In October,Islam NagemandEdrick Rajualso entered guilty pleasin relation to the homicide, police said. CBCNews has contacted Crown prosecutors for more information.

In2020,after an investigation, IHITchargedNagemandRajuwith first-degree murder, while Schweigerwascharged with second-degree murder.

Abbotsford police saidBlanarou was shot multiple times onDec. 28, 2017, and was killed while out on bail on two drug charges he was facing in the Yukon.

Hisbody was found in a blueberry field in the 5200 block of Bates Road in rural Abbotsford.

Police say they won't be commenting further because the matter is still before the courts. The sentencing for all three menis scheduled for early 2023.