The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of six arrests made at the Walk with Israel event.
On Sunday, June 9, 2024, police were in the Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue area for the event.
It is alleged that:
the accused attended the area of the event
the accused displayed antisemitic messaging calling for violence
Lou-i Bou-Chahine, 32, of Toronto, has been charged with:
Public Incitement of Hatred
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 2 p.m., in room 201.
It is further alleged that:
the accused attended the area of the event
he was in possession of an Israeli flag
he threw the flag on the ground and stomped on it
the incident led to a breach of the peace with officers having to separate the accused from demonstrators
officers attempted to arrest him
he resisted arrest
Syed Raza, 27, of Toronto, has been charged with:
Public Incitement of Hatred
Resist a Peace Officer
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 2 p.m., in room 201.
It is further alleged that:
the accused attended the area of the event
he approached counter protestors, yelled at them, and pushed a camera mounted on a stick into their faces
the man was cautioned several times and subsequently arrested
Eric Brazau, 59, of Toronto, has been charged with:
Cause a Disturbance
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 2 p.m., in room 201.
It is further alleged that:
the accused attended the area of the event
he was on private property and asked to leave several times
he refused to leave and then assaulted an officer
Shahrez Bin Salman Salman Hydri, 37, of Beeton, has been charged with:
Fail To Leave Premises When Directed
Obstruct Peace Officer
Assault Peace Officer
He was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 10 a.m., in room 107.
It is further alleged that:
the accused was walking eastbound on Sheppard Avenue West at Bathurst Street
the victim was walking westbound wearing a keffiyeh and holding her child
the accused intentionally bumped into the victim causing her to stumble
the suspect was subsequently arrested
Michael Bursztejn, 75, of Toronto, has been charged with:
Assault
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 2 p.m., in room 201.
It is further alleged that:
the accused attended the area of the event
he attempted to steal an Israeli flag from an event participant
Omar Elkhawass 22, of Burlington, has been charged with:
Mischief Interfere with Property
He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 2 p.m., in room 201.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU.
If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.
Comments