Ontario: Three youths have been arrested after two passengers, including a Sikh man, were allegedly targeted in hate-motivated attacks on public transit buses in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
According to an official report issued by the Barrie Police Service, the incidents took place on Sunday evening. The same group of three suspects allegedly targeted passengers on two separate buses within an hour.
The first incident occurred at around 7.15pm on a bus near Essa Road, where the three suspects allegedly verbally abused and slapped a 26-year-old man, making offensive remarks. When the victim tried to seek help from the bus driver, the attackers allegedly pushed him off the bus.
Around an hour later, at approximately 8.30pm, the same three suspects allegedly surrounded a 22-year-old Sikh man on another bus travelling along Yonge Street.
They allegedly removed his turban and poured beer over his head. When he tried to call the police, the suspects took his phone and threw it to the ground. As he approached the driver for help, two of the suspects allegedly restrained him while the third punched him in the face and body.
Three suspects arrested
Following the incidents, the suspects allegedly fled in a taxi. However, police intercepted the vehicle near Simcoe and Mulcaster streets before 9pm and arrested all three individuals.
The arrested suspects are aged 16, 18 and 19. They have been charged under provisions of Canada’s Criminal Code relating to offences motivated by hatred.
Neither victim sustained serious physical injuries.
The incidents have been strongly condemned by several community organisations, including the World Sikh Organization (WSO).
The organisation said such incidents could not be ignored and called for firm accountability to address the growing trend of attacks targeting members of the Sikh community.
