Share
Email
PrintHate-crimes trial opens for aboriginal leader
TORONTO (JTA) -- A second hate-crimes trial has begun in Canada for an aboriginal leader accused of willfully promoting hatred against Jews.
The case against David Ahenakew opened Monday in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
In 2002, Ahenakew, 75, told a reporter that Jews were a "disease" and Adolf Hitler was trying to "clean up the world" when he "fried" 6 million of the "guys" during World War II. Ahenakew was convicted of the rare crime of willfully promoting hatred against an identifiable group and fined $1,000. He apologized and was stripped of his Order of Canada.
The conviction was overturned on appeal -- a ruling that was appealed by the prosecution.
Earlier this year, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ruling that while Ahenakew's remarks about Jews were "shocking, brutal and hurtful," they were not illegal.
The trial is expected to test the limits of what constitutes a private conversation.
Ahenakew's lawyer, Doug Christie, has represented Holocaust deniers James Keegstra and Ernst Zundel.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Discussions About this Article Elsewhere
Comments RSS Feed Reader Comments
While hateful,hurtful,mean spirited comments originate from the same kinds of thoughts, when in hell did Canada begin criminally prosecuting people for what they THINK? Are people going crazy there? I can disagree wholeheartedly with someone’s point of view , but I would defend to the death their right to have it!
Leave a Comment
To comment on this article, you must first be registered with JTA.
Not Registered?
There are real advantages to a FREE registration with JTA.org:
- Make your voice heard through comments on articles
- Receive our e-mailed Daily Briefing, an invaluable quick-read
- Help decide what Jewish news matters most with interactive tools
Register Now
Already a JTA member?
- Hitler comments spur call for racing chief’s resignation
- Empire launches organic poultry line
- N.Y. federation campaign falls 11 percent
- Aussie bowler continuing legacy of his late father
- Ancient quarry uncovered in Jerusalem
- U.S. competitors arrive for Maccabiah Games
- Seattle-area Jewish soldier killed in Afghanistan
- Israel to deport Gaza activists
- The Chosen: Jewish members in the 111th U.S. Congress
- Jackson kids’ Jewish mother could regain custody
- Guard shot at Holocaust museum dies
- Biden: Israel can decide for itself on Iran
- Canadian politician sues Jewish groups
- In endorsing two states, Netanyahu adopts popular Jewish position
- Some Jewish settlers turning against Israel
- Mass converts pose dilemma for Latin American Jews
Trackback URL: http://jta.org/trackback/1001197/
No trackbacks have been created for this article, be the first to create one.