Display of these flags brings hate charge against Oakville man

An Oakville man is one of two people charged with inciting hatred after a Hezbollah flag was displayed at a downtown Toronto rally.

According to Toronto Police, two men were seen carrying the flags on Sept. 28 at the demonstration held near the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue.

Canada recognizes Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

Police say they approached the men and told them the flags were a threat to public peace. They warned them against continuing to display the flags.

“Officers disengaged…due to the large crowd size and public safety concerns,” reads a statement released by police.
“(They) continued to publicly wave the Hezbollah flags.”

Then, following up their earlier investigation, police on Wednesday (Oct. 2) made two arrests.

Charged with public incitement of hatred are Ahmad Sheikhani, 34, of Oakville and Hamad Khalid Menshed, 34, of Mississauga.

They are both scheduled to appear in Toronto court on Nov. 14.

In discussing the delay in filing the charge, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said these types of arrests don’t have to be made immediately.

“Charges can be laid at any time — whether it’s hours, days, or even weeks after an incident, including those that take place at demonstrations,” said Demkiw.