 Adam Singer, vice-president of the Calgary Jewish Community Council, stands in front of some anti-Semitic graffiti. (Lyle Aspinall, QMI Agency)
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CALGARY - Police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for an 18-year-old after racist graffiti incidents -- marking the first time police have laid hate-crime charges in Calgary.
Last November, graffiti targeting the Jewish community, including swastikas and slogans such as 'Die Jews,' was spray-painted on the Calgary Jewish Centre and at the Chabad Lubavitch Centre in Woodbine.
It was also found at the Holocaust memorial.
Supt. Trevor Daroux said Wednesday, "Calgarians and people across the country were sickened and outraged, and rightly so," he said.
"This is an appalling crime."
He said the young man, said to be "involved in racist groups within the city," but not previously known to police, now faces four charges.
Daroux said the hate-crime charges -- which had to be approved by the attorney general -- are a first for Calgary.
The Canadian Jewish Congress applauded the work of police with CEO Bernie Farber issuing a statement saying:
"The perseverance of (police) shows that even cowardly acts performed under cover of darkness can be traced to their source," he said.
"We congratulate (police) for their commitment on this file and for their recognition, demonstrated through the laying of appropriate charges, that criminal acts motivated by hate impact not only individuals but target entire communities."
The Calgary Jewish Community Council said the charges send a message.
"These charges send a very strong message that Calgary does not tolerate anti-Semitism or racism of any kind," council vice-president Adam Singer said in a statement.
Police are now looking for the suspect.
"This is clearly a heinous crime," Daroux said.
"I can reassure you, we will work diligently to find him."
The man, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act because he was 17 at the time of the crimes, is charged with mischief to property, as well as hate-related charges of mischief to a place of religious worship motivated by hate and inciting public hatred.
nadia.moharib@sunmedia.ca
