A man from the community of Dundurn is facing mischief charges in connection to the egging of a Saskatoon synagogue. The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) says through an investigation and help from the public, the suspect in the Aug. 4 incident was identified as a 31-year-old from Dundurn. Arrangements were made for the suspect to turn himself in, which happened on Aug. 13, according to police. He has been charged with three counts of mischief under $5,000 and was later released on conditions. The incident saw eggs thrown at both the Congregation Agudas Israel synagogue and vehicles in its parking lot during the congregation’s Shabbat prayer service. “As a police service, we recognize the significance of incidents that target faith-based communities and the impact on their sense of safety and belonging,” Supt. James Oliver said in a statement Friday. “... In Canada, ‘hate crime’ is generally used as an umbrella term, not a specific charge under the Criminal Code. Any evidence that an offence was motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate is considered by the court as an aggravating factor during sentencing.” In 2002 the synagogue had a Molotov cocktail thrown through a window. Robert Englebert, the co-president of Congregation Agudas Israel, says the synagogue has hired security for holy days in the past, and will review security policies in place. In a statement to CTV News, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) welcomed the update, calling on all Canadians to reject extremism and hateful ideologies. “Attacking a place of worship is deeply disturbing and represents yet another example of extremists spreading hate and targeting Jewish Canadians, in this instance while members of our community were praying inside the synagogue. We expect this hate criminal to be held fully accountable under the law,” CIJA Vice President of Manitoba and Saskatchewan Gustavo Zentner said in the statement. “Our community in Saskatoon and across Canada is resilient, defiant and proud. We will continue to practice our faith, gather in our places of worship and live openly and freely.” With files from Keenan Sorokan
