EDMONTON – Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said the Niagara Regional Police Service contacted EPS on Dec. 17, 2025, regarding concerning social media posts that threatened harm against the Jewish community and appeared to originate from Edmonton. EPS investigators identified a suspect and arrested Amjad Jaradat, 31, on Dec. 19. He has been charged with uttering threats.
Following his arrest, Jaradat remained in custody and has since been released under strict conditions while awaiting trial. Those conditions require him to reside in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, under house arrest, limit his internet use to pre-approved work purposes, prohibit him from attending within 100 metres of Jewish places of worship or community centres, restrict his involvement in protests or vigils related to Israel or Palestine, and bar him from possessing weapons or internet-capable devices beyond work use.
EPS stated that its Hate Crimes Unit is recommending that Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada be applied, allowing the courts to consider increased sentencing where evidence suggests an offence was motivated by hatred.
EPS Chief Warren Driechel said, “Whether online or in person, hate has no place in our society, and we will continue to investigate these incidents to the fullest extent.” He added that law enforcement across Canada works collaboratively to protect faith communities.
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton issued a public response welcoming the charges and supporting law enforcement action. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the federation said: “We commend authorities from across Canada for their swift work and expect criminals to be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
The federation’s statement reflects ongoing concerns among Jewish Edmontoners regarding safety and the need for accountability when hate-motivated conduct is alleged.
In addition to the EPS charge, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced a separate arrest connected to alleged online threats against the Jewish community. On Dec. 20, 2025, the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), in partnership with EPS, arrested Esteban Pavez, 35, and charged him with uttering threats against the Jewish community. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 29, 2026.
Both police announcements describe allegations that have not been tested in court. The EPS and RCMP statements do not provide detailed excerpts of the alleged threats themselves, and neither agency’s announcement constitutes a finding of guilt.
Legal analysts note that the recommendation to apply Section 718.2’s hate-motivation provision, if accepted by prosecutors and upheld by the courts, can lead to more significant sentencing outcomes if motives of hatred are demonstrated. This provision is designed to address the aggravated impact of crimes targeting protected groups.
Jewish community leaders across Canada have expressed heightened concern about the safety of Jewish institutions and individuals, particularly as online extremism and hate-motivated conduct appear to be spreading in various forms. Organizations such as CIJA and local federations continue to call for robust law enforcement responses and broader political action to counter antisemitism and protect communities.
