A complaint was filed against Adil Charkaoui, a Jewish organization confirmed Thursday, at a time when the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) says it is continuing to analyze the hateful content of the remarks made by the preacher during a demonstration at the end of october.
At a press briefing on Thursday, the number 2 of the Montreal police service, Vincent Richer, had in fact confirmed that the imam had not been arrested by the police.
“We are analyzing the file. We are currently talking with our partners about this. It’s still a complex issue,” said Vincent Richer. “At this time, I cannot comment on whether there will be an arrest in the short or medium term. »
“It’s certain that this concerns the SPVM and we take it with the greatest seriousness,” he added. We are currently working on this. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The deputy director of the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM), Vincent Richer
The Advisory Center for Jewish and Israeli Relations (CIJA), however, assured Thursday by email that it was “aware” of a complaint and a police report being in progress, reserving its comments for the future. “More generally, anti-Semitic vitriol and incitement to violence against Jews are unacceptable,” said communications director Nicole Amiel, referring any additional questions to the Montreal police.
Asked to comment, the SPVM for its part did not want to confirm the existence of a complaint for reasons of confidentiality, as is the usual protocol.
A video quickly denounced
Recall that the controversial imam Adil Charkaoui was captured on video haranguing the crowd during the pro-Palestinian demonstration on October 28.
“Allah, take care of these Zionist aggressors. Allah, take care of the enemies of the people of Gaza. Allah, identify them all, then exterminate them. And don’t spare any of them! “, he said in Arabic. The crowd responded “amen” several times.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister François Legault affirmed that the imam had “incited hatred and violence”. “And I count on the police to do their job,” he added. It’s not me telling them how to do their job, but inciting violence is not allowed. »
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the comments. “These words are unacceptable. These words are anti-Semitic. These words are an insult to the lives and hopes of millions of people around the world, including those who perished in the Holocaust because of their Jewish religion. We will always stand up against anti-Semitism. We will always be there to promote peace and compassion between people around the world,” said Mr. Trudeau.
Adil Charkaoui then defended himself, Wednesday morning, of having called for hatred and violence against Jews. It was in fact a call to God and he never uttered the word “Jew”, he explained in a video broadcast live on a social network.