Five arrested for antisemitic hate crimes at March demo

Toronto Police announced five arrests connected to a March 15 demonstration at Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West that targeted members of the Jewish community. The suspects — Hosaam Hemdan, 19; Omer Turcan, 43; Syed Hussaini, 43; Hasan Aydin, 48; and Yasaf Shaikh, 46 — face charges of wilful promotion of hatred and public incitement of hatred for distributing or displaying antisemitic signs. Three of them also face charges of wearing a disguise with intent. The arrests follow an April apprehension of Muhammad Anas Sial, who also faces charges from the same demonstration. Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the service will be "relentless" in pursuing hate crimes. Members of the Counter Terrorism Security Unit executed search warrants in Toronto and Durham Region, seizing clothing and devices that led to the arrests. "This is an example of what we mean when we say that arrests and charges can come at any time after an incident," Demkiw said.