Ahmad Hassan Hajahmad was arrested by Toronto police on Tuesday and charged with participating in or contributing to the activities of a terrorist group.Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
Toronto police have charged a 33-year-old man with a terrorism offence for his alleged conduct during two pro-Palestinian demonstrations downtown in 2024.
Police say Ahmad Hassan Hajahmad was acting on behalf of Hamas when he allegedly used a megaphone to make public statements calling for harm to members of the Israeli and Jewish communities.
Mr. Hajahmad was arrested Tuesday and charged with participating in or contributing to the activities of a terrorist group. Police say they gathered evidence after the demonstrations supporting the allegation that he acted in association with Hamas.
“Investigations into criminal offences committed at demonstrations do not end when the event is over,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw in a statement.
“We will continue to hold those who break the law accountable, no matter how long it takes.”
Toronto police say Mr. Hajahmad made the statements at two pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the Bay Street and Front Street West area on May 25, 2024, and Sept. 7, 2024.
On March 7, 2025, investigators seized multiple electronic devices from a Toronto residence after executing a search warrant. A joint investigation by the Toronto Police Service’s hate crime unit and an RCMP national-security unit subsequently gathered evidence that Mr. Hajahmad acted for the benefit of Hamas, police say.
The allegations against Mr. Hajahmad have not been tested in court. He could not be reached for comment.
Toronto police offered few details about the investigation, citing a publication ban. However, spokesperson Stephanie Sayer confirmed that Mr. Hajahmad was separately charged with mischief in January, 2025, after a smoke canister was set off inside Union Station during a protest on New Year’s Day. Ms. Sayer did not immediately respond to a question about the status of that case.
Noah Shack, chief executive officer of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, called the terrorism charge “chilling” in a statement published Wednesday.
“Governments and authorities across Canada must do more to confront those who are radicalizing people in our streets to support violence and promote terrorist organizations,” he said.