Pro-Palestine journalist Yves Engler charged and arrested in Canada

Many media outlets reported on the arrest and charges on Yves Engler in Montreal, prominent pro-Palestine journalist, who also has written on other topics denouncing Canada’s imperialist policy in many other countries. The arrest produced on Thursday, February 20 of this year. Afterwards the bail was denied to him without giving any reason as well as he received an order on Friday forbidding him to write on the case to denounce it.

Engler was initially charged with “harassment and indecent communication” for his response to a Canadian Zionist media personality, Dahlia Kurtz. Engler defined her as a “genocide supporter” and “fascist”, definition that Engler maintains. Dahlia Kurtz has labeled anti-genocide protests “mobs” that “incite terrorism.” She has also called for Palestine solidarity activists to be deported.

Engler also added that he hardly could harass Dahlia Kurtz since he never met her or he never sent a mail or messaged her. Shortly after Montreal police added charges, alleging Engler’s articles detailing his arrest along with an email letter campaign soliciting support for his release, constitute a threat.

The police argues that his writings on these events, constitute “intimidation, harassment, harassing communication and “entrave” or interference” towards its arresting officer.”

When Yves asked why his release was opposed, the judge dismissed his question, saying it was at the prosecutor’s discretion, and advised him not to speak.

Yves Engler received broad support and alternative and progressive media across Canada and United States expressed concerns for the welfare of Engler and the conditions of his detention and thousands of people have demanded his freedom.

This case joins a long list of pro-Palestine journalists detained in several proclaimed democracies, such as happened in Austria with the case of Richard Medhurst, or in Switzerland with the case of Ali Abunimah.