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Podcast: North Star with Ellin Bessner
Episode: Why was a Toronto suspect released on bail after being charged with terrorism-related hate crimes against Jews?
Description: On Monday March 17, Toronto Police Services announced that they arrested and laid 29 charges against a suspect allegedly behind a spree of hate-motivated attacks on Toronto’s Jewish community in 2024—and then, revealed a judge had released him on bail.
Amir Arvahi Azar, 32, was arrested on Jan. 11, 2025, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto. He was kept in custody for two months, until this week's release order.
Police highlighted the fact that they brought three “very rare” hate-speech charges against the suspect, including advocating genocide against Jews, wilful promotion of genocide and public incitement of hatred.
The Ontario attorney general’s office had...