Canada: London Police Arrest Suspect in Hate-Motivated Assault on Muslim Man
The incident occurred on Saturday, police said, when the suspect reportedly directed derogatory comments at the man, who was with his family, before allegedly assaulting him.
According to police, the suspect lingered in the area for around 20 minutes after the assault before leaving the park on an e-bike. The victim sustained minor injuries but did not require medical attention, CBC News reported on Friday.
On Friday, authorities charged the suspect with one count of assault. He remains in custody and is scheduled for a court appearance regarding the charge, police confirmed.
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The alleged attack has drawn condemnation from public officials and community leaders. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced the incident on social media, calling it “abhorrent and unacceptable.” London Mayor Josh Morgan and the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) also spoke out, with the NCCM expressing deep concern over the rise in anti-Muslim incidents.
In a statement issued Monday, the NCCM said it was "deeply horrified and saddened" by the assault. The organization referenced a previous tragedy, saying, “Only a few years ago, an entire Muslim family was murdered in London because of hatred left unchecked. Over the last year, we have seen more and more Muslim families being targeted in hateful attacks in London.”
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to review the circumstances surrounding the alleged hate-motivated attack.
Source: Agencies
