P.E.I. RCMP charges man with promotion of antisemitism, possession of weapon

An RCMP vehicle is pictured. (CTV Atlantic / Melanie Price)

The Prince Edward Island RCMP has arrested a 25-year-old man for multiple alleged hate crimes related to antisemitic social media posts.

Police say they received several complaints about posts by Matthan Runighan. Following an investigation, officers learned Runighan’s posts were allegedly antisemitic and laid hate crime charges against him.

Police also learned Runighan had allegedly illegally obtained a firearm and arrested him on Aug. 7. Officers executed a search warrant at his residence and seized a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition.

Runighan was charged with:

• possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace
• possession of a firearm without a licence
• possession of a non-restricted firearm without a licence
• improper storage of a firearm

Police say Runighan was released on conditions and allegedly breached those conditions in August and September. Police say Runighan was again arrested on Oct. 10 for breaching his conditions by allegedly posting hate online.

He is scheduled to appear in Supreme Court to face the four firearm charges and four breaches on Jan. 13, 2026.

On Tuesday, Runighan received additional charges in connection to his social media posts. They include:

• wilful promotion of antisemitism
• public promotion of hatred towards Jews

“The recent attacks in Australia clearly show the impacts of hate motivated crime,” said Kevin Lewis, commanding officer of the P.E.I. RCMP, in a news release. “In the Runighan case, an extensive investigation was conducted that has led to what I believe are the first ever hate crime charges in PEI.”

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