Woman charged after demonstrator's hijab pulled off
Ottawa police say a 74-year-old Ottawa woman is facing assault, harassment and mischief charges for allegedly removing someone's hijab and making lewd gestures during a demonstration last week.
In a news release, police said it happened at city hall around 5:30 p.m. on May 14.
The accused, who police did not name, has been charged with one count each of assault, mischief and criminal harassment — specifically, engaging in threatening conduct.
The charges are considered hate-related, which could mean harsher penalties if there's a conviction.
Ottawa police declined to say whether the alleged incident that led to the charges is related to a video taken outside an Israel Independence Day ceremony on the same date and at the same location, over concerns it could identify the victim.
Hayfa Abdelkhaleq told CBC she filed a police report and was in contact with the hate and bias unit after her hijab was pulled off.
She confirmed she's the woman in the video, in which a person gestures at the camera with their middle finger before pulling off Abdelkhaleq's hijab.
