A Driver Runs Over A Canadian Muslim Family To Death Is Charged With Terrorism

JAKARTA - The perpetrator of the ramming to death of a Muslim family in Canada with a truck has been charged with terrorism charges, in addition to first-degree murder and attempted murder.

In a statement on Monday, June 14 yesterday, prosecutors agreed on terrorism charges against Nathaniel Veltman, the driver of the truck that carried out the crash, after four of the five victims of the collision died, with one child surviving with injuries.

Provincial and federal prosecutors gave their approval to initiate terrorism proceedings against him, alleging that the killing of Salman Afzaal, his wife, their daughter, and Afzaal's mother, and the attempted murder of the couple's son constituted terrorist activities, according to a statement from the London police, Ontario, Canada, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday, June 15.

Meanwhile, the sole survivor of the incident, a nine-year-old child from the family, was discharged from hospital yesterday after undergoing intensive care, the London Free Press quoted a family friend as saying.

Investigators from the local police have gathered some evidence and information, which will later explain why the police said the attack was a premeditated and hate-motivated crime.

Separately, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke on terrorism charges that would be levied against the perpetrator of the crash. According to him, the choice was the right one.

"It is very important for us to call it an act of terror. It is important for us to identify the terrible threat posed by white supremacists, to Canada, and to Canadians," he said.

Last week, Veltman was presented in court for virtually five minutes. There were no details from the trial, regarding the publication ban. The next trial is scheduled for June 21.

As previously reported, four members of a Pakistani Muslim family were killed when a pickup truck driver, 20-year-old Nathanial Veltman, accidentally hit them in London, Ontario, Canada on the evening of Sunday, June 6 local time. Another family member, a nine-year-old boy, survived the attack and is in hospital.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter he was 'horrified' by the news, adding "Islamophobia has no place in our community. This hate is dangerous and despicable and it must stop."

The incident was the worst attack on Canadian Muslims since a man shot dead six worshipers at a Quebec City mosque in 2017.

The city of London with 400,000 residents is known to have a sizable Muslim population, with Arabic being the second most widely spoken language after English.