Peterborough Police Service – Peterborough Man Charged With Willful Promotion of Hatred (No Name Released)
The Peterborough Police Service has laid an additional charge against a 31-year-old Peterborough man in connection with the distribution of anti-Semitic flyers during the summer of 2023.
The Criminal Code of Canada contains specific provisions and authorizations required to proceed with charges related to hate crimes. Investigators immediately sought authorization from the Ministry of Attorney General to proceed with such charge, and this is the first time the Peterborough Police Service has received authorization to lay a charge of:
- Willful promotion of hatred
Background
Between May and July 2023, The Peterborough Police Service received reports of anti-Semitic flyers having been distributed across the city.
After a four month investigation, investigators identified and arrested a 31-year-old Peterborough man on Friday, September 15, 2023.
Following the arrest, the Peterborough Police Service applied to the Ministry of the Attorney General to have the incidents deemed as a willful promotion of hatred under the Criminal Code of Canada. In December 2023, the application was granted and earlier this month the accused was notified of the new charges. The accused appeared in court today, January 23, 2024, for a first appearance on those charges.
“As a Service tasked with ensuring public safety, and on behalf of our community, we are thankful the Ministry of the Attorney General agreed with our assessment that the charge of willful promotion of hatred was warranted. We take these types of incidents very seriously and believe that there is no room for hate in our community” Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service.
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