Adil Charkaoui will not be accused of inciting hatred against Jews, the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) announced on Thursday. The controversial imam was under investigation after a complaint was filed for his words said during a pro-Palestine demonstration on October 28 in Montreal.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigated this matter. The federal police then sent their investigation report to the DPCP which ruled: the evidence collected does not reveal the commission of a criminal offense.
“It is not up to the DPCP to comment on the socially acceptable nature of a public speech, but rather to determine whether a criminal act has been committed,” he clarified in a press release.
The complaint for threats and incitement to violence was filed with the police in November, and concerned speeches given during two demonstrations in October 2023, in the context of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to a translation of his words obtained by The Canadian Press, Charkaoui prayed to God to “take care” of the Israelis. “God, take care of the aggressor Zionists,” he declared on October 28. “O God, make sure you leave none behind. »
Prime Minister François Legault was outraged by his words. According to him, it was clear that it was incitement to hatred.
The DPCP does not agree. Taking into account the requirements relating to the sufficiency of the evidence to initiate a criminal prosecution, and those of the case law which interprets this offense of the Criminal Code, he concludes that he will not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the words spoken by the ‘imam constitute incitement to hatred against a group.
Before authorizing the filing of a charge, the DPCP must be convinced that there is a reasonable prospect of conviction in light of the file submitted to it by the police: this was not the case here, explains -he.
Mr. Charkaoui was previously suspected of terrorism by Canadian authorities and was monitored for nine years without any charges being filed.