Man faces rare charge of advocating genocide against Jewish community, Toronto police say
A 32-year-old Toronto man, Amir Arvahi Azar, is facing a slew of serious charges, including advocating genocide and more than two dozen other offences motivated by hatred towards the Jewish community, according to Toronto police. Azar was arrested on January 11 for incidents that occurred between April 26, 2024, and January 3, 2025. Police have not disclosed further details about the alleged crimes due to a publication ban.
In total, Azar faces 29 charges, including wilful promotion of hatred, which, along with advocating genocide, necessitates the consent of the Ministry of the Attorney General. These charges have not yet been tested in court.
Barbara Perry, an expert on hate crimes and director for the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, explains that law enforcement must meet a high threshold when deciding whether to lay such charges. She notes that these charges are typically reserved for the most severe and threatening crimes, considering various factors such as the intent to incite hatred, the context in which the offences occurred, and the nature of the language used.
Proving these charges in court can be challenging, as statistics from a federal government study show. From 2010 to 2020, only 43% of hate crime cases resulted in a finding of guilt, with wilful promotion of hatred accounting for 85% of processed charges, and advocating genocide comprising just 6%.
In addition to charges related to hatred towards the Jewish community, Azar also faces accusations of arson, public incitement of hatred, criminal harassment, mischief to cultural property, and multiple weapons offences. Deputy Chief Rob Johnson emphasized that the charges stem from a thorough investigation conducted by the centralized hate crimes unit, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
Following a bail hearing, Azar was released with several conditions, including house arrest and an ankle monitor. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 28. Michelle Stock, vice-president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Ontario, expressed vigilance in monitoring the case and emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for hate-motivated crimes during a time of rising antisemitism and hate. Law enforcement and Crown prosecutors are committed to upholding the rule of law and demonstrating zero tolerance for criminal conduct.
