Protesters arrested for allegedly blocking forestry workers’ access to an area of the Upper Walbran Valley to protect old-growth trees — in violation of an injunction — could be prosecuted criminally rather than civilly, a judge has ruled. Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership, the forestry company applied for a court order asking the attorney general to take over contempt proceedings against those charged with breaching the injunction, who were initially charged with civil contempt of court. The company’s request was that the attorney general review the arrests to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute those arrested with criminal contempt. BC Supreme Court Justice Anthony Saunders granted the application, saying the test for whether there is evidence that could support a finding of criminal contempt against at least one person was clearly met. …The attorney general will have to decide whether to take on the prosecution. That decision could come at a hearing on Jan. 30.