Arrest Made in Connection with Flag Burning Incidents Outside Hampstead Town Hall

Montreal police have apprehended a 39-year-old man in relation to two recent incidents outside Hampstead town hall, where the Israeli and Hampstead flags were set on fire.

The initial incident occurred on Aug. 22, followed by a second occurrence on Aug. 25. Fortunately, there was no structural damage to the building, and no injuries were reported.

Authorities disclosed that the suspect was taken into custody in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough on Tuesday. A subsequent search conducted at his residence led to the seizure of crucial pieces of evidence by the arson squad.

The Montreal police underscored that their hate crimes unit provided valuable assistance throughout the investigation.

In response to the arson attacks, Hampstead, a suburb located on Montreal’s island, has bolstered its security protocols. However, specific details regarding the enhanced security measures were withheld due to safety and operational considerations, as stated by Sarah-Eve Longtin, a Hampstead spokesperson.

Longtin confirmed that only the Israeli and Hampstead flags displayed in front of Town Hall were targeted and damaged during both incidents.

The suspect is currently in police custody and is slated to appear at the Montreal courthouse later today. The exact charges he will be facing have not been disclosed at this time.