Toronto man charged with terrorism following anti-Israel protests: police

A Toronto police cruiser. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk /Postmedia

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The Toronto Police Service, in partnership with the RCMP, has charged a Toronto man with a terrorism offence following an investigation into alleged conduct at demonstrations in downtown Toronto, and allegedly acting “for the benefit of, and in association with, Hamas.”

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Police allege that on May 25 and Sept. 7, 2024, Ahmad Hassan Hajahmad, 33, attended anti-Israel demonstrations in the area of Bay Street and Front Street West, “where he used amplification devices to make public statements that advocated for the detestation and harm against members of the Israeli and Jewish communities.”

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In a press release Wednesday, Toronto Police said that on Monday the Attorney General of Ontario and the Government of Canada provided consent to proceed with the charge before the court.

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The following morning, Hajahmad, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with participation in or contributing to the activities of a terrorist group.

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He appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice on Tuesday morning. “Due to a court-imposed publication ban, the Toronto Police Service is unable to provide further details related to this investigation,” police said in the release, adding: “The Toronto Police Service thanks the RCMP’s INSET for their support with this investigation.”

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INSET stands for Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams, which are led by the RCMP and made up of specially trained members of that group and other law enforcement and national security partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

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“Working together, INSET members track, deter, disrupt and prevent criminal activities of terrorist groups or individuals who pose a threat to Canada’s national security,” according to a government of Canada website.

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On March 7, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at a Toronto residence and seized multiple electronic devices. “A joint investigation by the Toronto Police Service Hate Crime Unit and INSET subsequently gathered evidence supporting the allegation that the accused acted for the benefit of, and in association with, Hamas, a designated terrorist group,” police said.

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“Investigations into criminal offences committed at demonstrations do not end when the event is over,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw in a statement.

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“As this investigation progressed, we worked closely with our INSET partners to pursue the terrorism charge warranted by the investigation. These complex investigations underscore the importance of continuing to strengthen our Counter Terrorism Security Unit so we can identify and investigate evolving threats to public safety. We will continue to hold those who break the law accountable, no matter how long it takes.”

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