Gabriel-Sohier Chaput, a “hate influencer,” was sentenced Friday to a “substantial” 15-month prison sentence for fomenting hatred against Jews. In an unprecedented decision, the judge denounces the “outrageous”, “sweet” and “lenient” sentence suggested by the State.
“The Court must send a clear message that hate speech has no place. And this message must be heard loud and clear. The Court must convey the social revulsion of crime which goes against the fundamental values of the Canadian and Quebec people,” concludes Judge Del Negro.
The Crown and defense had jointly suggested a sentence of three months in detention. However, according to the judge, the Quebec community would be downright “revolted” and would become “distrustful” of the judicial system if it endorsed this suggestion. It is quite exceptional for a judge to deviate from a common recommendation. The bar is extremely high to do so.
But the crimes committed by neo-Nazi Gabriel Sohier Chaput are so serious and the consequences so significant for the Jewish community that a harsher sentence is necessary to maintain public confidence in the justice system, the judge argues.
Furthermore, Gabriel Sohier-Chaput has not changed one iota six years later and has no sincere remorse. “He firmly adheres to his hateful ideology. He has made no effort over the years to change his ideology. He acted as a hate influencer. The risk of recidivism cannot be ruled out,” maintains the judge.
Gabriel Sohier-Chaput urged his countless readers — 3 million visitors each month — to take action against the Jews. Its goal was to promote Nazism and promote the extermination of Jews. “Its goal was to desensitize readers to the use of violence,” insists the judge.
Under the pseudonym Zeiger, Gabriel Sohier-Chaput wrote up to 1,000 articles in the late 2010s on the highly influential neo-Nazi site The Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi and white supremacist publication. From his home in the Rosemont district of Montreal, he was its most prolific author.
“He is not an amateur in the proliferation of hatred. He was an active and prolific contributor. You cannot read his writings without getting goosebumps,” says the judge.
More details to come.