Watch CBS News

Montreal police arrest man who allegedly threatened to kill Arabs

A Canadian man is facing charges Wednesday after threatening in a video posted on YouTube to kill one Arab person per week in Quebec.

In the video, which has been taken down, the man is dressed and masked as the "Batman" villain "The Joker." While holding a pistol that police confirmed to 48 Hours' Crimesider is not real, the man says in French that he will shoot each victim in the head.

He also said he had 10 accomplices ready to help in his mission, but police did not say if they believe that to be true.

Montreal police spokesperson André Leclerc told 48 Hours' Crimesider that police began investigating soon after the video was posted.

"His home was targeted by police investigation, and this morning at 1 a.m. it was raided," Leclerc said, adding that investigators seized his costume and other items from the home.

Police have not released the identity of the man, but Leclerc said he is likely to be charged for publicly inciting hatred, and may be charged for terrorism-related offenses.

Muslims have been targeted in a series of incidents in Canada since the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, France.

On Saturday, someone set fire to a mosque in Peterborough, Ontario, a small city about two hours from Toronto; on Monday, a Muslim woman picking her children up from school in Toronto was reportedly thrown to the ground and called a "terrorist."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.