Man who waved terrorist flag in Toronto charged with public incitement of hatred: police
A man who allegedly waved the flag of a terrorist group while marching in downtown Toronto has been arrested and charged.
Toronto police announced the “significant arrest” on Thursday.
Police said that a large demonstration was held in the downtown core on Sunday.
“On Sunday, Maged Sameh Hilal Al Khalaf, 41, of Toronto, was arrested and charged after he allegedly marched in the Queen Street West and Bay Street area waving a flag of an organization listed as a terrorist group by Public Safety Canada,” police said in a release.
Officers didn’t say which group it was.
Al Khalaf faces a charge of public incitement of hatred, police said.
He’s scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 23.
“Hate and intimidation can have no space in our city and we have been unwavering in our commitment to restore the sense of public safety, and not tolerate behavior that crosses the line to criminal activity,” Toronto police chief Myron Demkiw said in the release.
Speaking at the Toronto Police Services Board, Demkiw said officers observed the man allegedly flying the flag and made the arrest.
“Hate propaganda charges, such as public incitement of hatred, are unique and complex, as the law requires a very high threshold to lay charges under these provisions,” he said.
“This is an unprecedented charge. The Toronto Police Service Hate Crime Unit will continue to work closely with the ministry and the Attorney General’s office in all hate related matters, including this case.”
On Oct. 30, a Toronto police spokesperson told The Canadian Press that “a flag alone” may not be enough to lay charges. “Consideration must be given to the context in which a flag is displayed,” spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said at the time.
Demkiw said that what set this case
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