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A 25-year-old Prince Edward Island man faces charges related to promoting hatred and antisemitism, along with several firearms offences, RCMP say.
Police said they began investigating Matthan Runighan earlier this year after receiving several complaints about posts he allegedly made on social media.
An investigation revealed that Runighan allegedly published antisemitic postings, which led to the laying of hate crime charges against him, RCMP stated in the news release.
Chief Supt. Kevin Lewis, the commanding officer of the P.E.I. RCMP, said in the news release that these types of charges are very rare.
“The recent attacks in Australia clearly show the impacts of hate motivated crime. In the Runighan case, an extensive investigation was conducted that has led to what I believe are the first ever hate crime charges in P.E.I.,” Lewis is quoted as saying in the release, referring to the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14.
“Promotion of hatred is a toxic, dangerous, and hurtful crime that deeply impacts our communities.”
As part of the investigation, police said they learned Runighan had allegedly obtained a firearm illegally.
On Aug. 7, RCMP said officers executed a public safety warrant at his residence and seized a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition.
At the time, Runighan was charged with:
- Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.
- Improper storage of a firearm.
- Possession of a firearm without a licence.
- Possession of a non-restricted firearm without a licence.
Police said Runighan was released on conditions, and breached those conditions three times, resulting in him being arrested again in September. He was later released by the court after a remand hearing.
On Oct. 10, police said Runighan was arrested again for breaching his conditions by posting hate online. He has been in custody since that time.
Runighan will appear in P.E.I. Supreme Court on Jan. 13 to answer to four charges of breaching his release conditions, along with the four firearms offences.
Hate crime charges laid Tuesday
RCMP said they laid additional charges against him on Tuesday after a lengthy investigation into the social media posts.
Runighan now also faces charges of:
- Public promotion of hatred towards Jews contrary to subsection 319(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
- Wilful promotion of antisemitism contrary to subsection 319(2.1).
His next court appearance to answer to the hate crime charges is also set for Jan. 13.
“In Canada, the distinction between freedom of speech and a hate crime is based on the balance between an individual’s right to express themselves and the protection of vulnerable groups from harm,” the RCMP stated in the news release.
“In this case based on the numerous postings made by Runighan, charges were laid with public safety in mind.”
