Toronto police arrest two more in hate propaganda probe

Toronto police have arrested two additional individuals as part of an ongoing hate propaganda investigation linked to a pro-Palestinian protest earlier this year. These arrests bring the total number of people charged in the case to eight, with the suspects facing accusations of willful promotion of hatred and public incitement of hatred.

The investigation originated from a protest on March 15, where both pro-Palestinian demonstrators and pro-Israel counter-protesters gathered. Police allege that on the morning of the protest, the accused individuals obtained antisemitic signs from a storage locker. They later allegedly joined other protesters, displaying these signs publicly and marching toward pro-Israel demonstrators while shouting derogatory slurs.

Members of the Hate Crime Unit executed a search warrant in Toronto, leading to the arrest of Daniela Bonamico, 40, and Shahram Nayeb-Yazdi, 63, both of Toronto. They face charges of wilful promotion of hatred and public incitement of hatred.

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Following a March 15 hateful protest targeting Toronto’s Jewish community – with propaganda and signs evoking the Nazi era – we joined @UJAFederation, @BnaiBrithCanada and thousands of Canadians in demanding that authorities take a tougher stand.

These arrests follow previous charges laid in April and June. Muhammad Anas Sial, 33, was charged in April. In June, Hosaam Hemdan, 19, Omer Turcan, 43, Yasaf Skaikh, 46, Hasan Aydin, 47, all from Toronto, and Syed Hussaini, 43, from Whitby, were arrested. Hemdan, Turcan, and Hussaini also face additional charges of disguise with intent. The suspects were scheduled to appear in court.

Following the March rally, prominent Jewish advocacy groups, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), B’nai Brith Canada, and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, condemned the rhetoric. They sent a joint letter to Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, demanding strict enforcement of Canada's hate propaganda laws. CIJA released a statement welcoming the arrests, noting their demand for authorities to take a tougher stance against extremism and propaganda evoking the Nazi era.

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We welcome the Toronto Police’s announcement that two more extremists have been arrested and charged with wilful promotion of hatred and public incitement of hatred, bringing the total charged to eight.