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, whom 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 and protest 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.