Threats That Shook a Community
In a disturbing case that has captured widespread attention, Waisuddin Akbari, a 41-year-old shawarma shop owner from the York region near Toronto, was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest on July 28 for threatening to bomb every synagogue in Toronto. The threats, made during a conversation at a local car dealership on March 4, 2024, included a chilling intent to 'kill as many Jews as possible,' according to court records from the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket. Justice Edward Prutschi, who delivered the sentence, emphasized the profound impact of these threats, stating they instilled 'fear, anger, and frustration' in the broader Jewish community.
The incident unfolded when Akbari engaged in a discussion with Cameron Ahmad, a salesperson at the dealership. Ahmad testified that Akbari's tone was so serious that he did not believe for a second that the remarks were a joke. Akbari, who was born in Afghanistan and became a Canadian citizen after moving to Canada in 2007, denied making the statements during his trial, claiming he did not even know what Judaism or a synagogue was until after his arrest. Despite his denial, he was found guilty in November 2024.
Judicial Reasoning and Community Impact
Justice Prutschi highlighted the significant hurt caused to the Jewish community, noting that many Canadian Jews live in a state of 'perpetual heightened anxiety' whether attending synagogues, dropping children off at Jewish day schools, or going about daily activities. He rejected the defense's request for a conditional discharge with probation, opting instead for the house arrest sentence followed by three years of probation. The Crown had sought a harsher penalty of four to six months in jail before probation, arguing for a stronger deterrent amid rising antisemitism concerns.
The judge also acknowledged Akbari's background, mentioning that both Akbari and the car salesman shared a Muslim upbringing in Pakistan. Prutschi suggested that Akbari might have felt a sense of comfort in voicing such hateful remarks due to this shared background. However, the court found no evidence that Akbari had taken any steps to act on his threats, a factor that likely influenced the decision to impose house arrest rather than incarceration.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The sentencing has sparked outrage among some Jewish advocacy groups in Canada, who argue that the penalty sends a dangerous message at a time when antisemitic incidents are on the rise. The decision to opt for house arrest instead of jail time has fueled debates about the adequacy of legal responses to hate-based threats. As reported, the case has garnered significant media attention, reflecting broader societal concerns about safety and tolerance in diverse communities like Toronto.
While Akbari's threats were not followed by any preparatory actions, the fear they generated underscores the potency of hate speech in exacerbating community tensions. Justice Prutschi described such threats as 'the gasoline upon which even more serious offenses burn,' signaling the court's recognition of their potential to incite further harm. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing judicial leniency with the need to protect vulnerable communities from hate-driven rhetoric.