<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
<style type="text/css" style="display:none;"> P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;} </style>
</head>
<body dir="ltr">
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div id="appendonsend"></div>
<hr style="display: inline-block; width: 98%;">
<div dir="ltr" id="divRplyFwdMsg">
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<b><br>
</b></div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<b>Subject:</b> Canada’s latest political prisoner</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;">Posted on facebook by Peter Gardens</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div>My brother-in-law Yves Engler has been arrested and being held over the weekend in a Montreal jail for challenging a hard-core pro-Israel influencer online. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> The text below is an article from the website "Jurist" explaining the situation and the legal implications around free speech that the case presents. I will post information on how to support Yves in the comments below. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> Canada dispatch: Montreal activist jailed after series of charges over Israel-Gaza social media posts Pitasanna Shanmugathas | University of Windsor Faculty of Law, CA February 21, 2025 01:30:22 pm Pitasanna Shanmugathas is a law
student at the University of Windsor and a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> Montreal-based author and activist Yves Engler turned himself in to Montreal police for arrest at 9:30 am Thursday on multiple charges, initially for social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict and subsequently for writing
about the police enforcement action against him. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> Following the arrest, Engler appeared in court via video link Thursday afternoon and will remain in detention overnight after the Crown opposed his release without stating reasons. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> Speaking to JURIST, Green Party of Quebec Leader Alex Tyrrell described Engler as “a very well-known author, activist, and journalist” and “a very outspoken voice in Canadian politics.” Tyrrell added that “in a country that’s supposed
to be free and democratic, we’re supposed to be able to have political rights, we’re supposed to be able to speak out against genocide when we see it. And Yves’ rights are being violated right now.” </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> The case originated when Engler wrote a series of social media responses on X to posts by media personality Dahlia Kurtz, whom he characterized as making “racist, violent anti-Palestinian posts.” Engler had described Kurtz as a
“genocide supporter” and “fascist,” referencing her public commentary on the Gaza conflict. The situation escalated on July 5, 2024 when Kurtz directly addressed Engler on X, stating: “I’m advising you in this one message only that you are harassing me. You’re
threatening and you’re making me afraid for my safety.” </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> This message referenced a post Engler had made six days earlier stating, “Racist Dahlia supports killing Palestinian children. 20,000 is not enough she wants even more Palestinian blood spilled.” According to Engler, instead of
using X’s built-in blocking feature, Kurtz pursued criminal charges through a legal firm reportedly associated with Neil Oberman, a Conservative party candidate in the upcoming federal election. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;">Months after Kurtz’s public warning to Engler, Montreal police investigator Crivello contacted Engler on Tuesday to inform him he would face charges of harassment and indecent communication. “As a father of a two-year old and seven
year-old and author of 13 books, it’s beyond absurd to suggest I’m a threat to Dahlia Kurtz,” noted Engler. “I’ve never met Kurtz. Nor have I messaged or emailed her. Nor have I threatened her. I don’t even follow her on X.” </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"> After being notified of these charges, Engler published an article about the situation, prompting the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute to organize an email campaign. Approximately 3,500 people contacted police demanding the charges
be dropped. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;">In response to Engler’s article, police added new charges against him for allegedly intimidating and harassing investigator Crivello through his writing about the initial charges. Canadian Senator for British Columbia Yuen Pau Woo
spoke out Thursday in support of Engler, stating he supports Engler’s right to “denounce the genocide in Gaza and to call out those who are aiding and abetting crimes against humanity.” </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;">The Independent Senator called on the police to “explain the grounds for any charges laid against Mr. Engler and to demonstrate his rights are not being infringed.” During Thursday’s afternoon virtual court appearance, Engler appeared
without glasses and struggled to see the video screen. Engler was cut off mid-sentence when attempting to discuss conditions. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;">When he asked why his release was opposed, the judge dismissed the question, stating it was at the prosecutor’s discretion, and advised him not to speak. A not-guilty plea was recorded before Engler was led out of the room. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;">The initial charges against Engler over his social media posts raise significant concerns under Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as his social media criticism of Kurtz’s public positions represents political
speech on matters of public interest. </div>
<div style="direction: ltr;"><br>
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr;">The additional charges for criticizing police enforcement actions further raise constitutional questions about freedom of expression and the limits of legitimate criticism of law enforcement. A bail hearing is scheduled Monday to
determine the conditions for Engler’s potential release. JURIST reached out to the Montreal police, who declined to comment on Engler’s arrest.</div>
<br>
<br>
<div style="direction: ltr;">Note: If you forward this email, please delete the forwarding history, which includes my email address. It is a courtesy to me and others who may not wish to have their email addresses sent all over the world. Erasing the history
also helps prevent Spammers from mining addresses and prevents viruses from being propagated</div>
</body>
</html>