Monday, June 14, 2021
Queen’s expert Amarnath Amarasingam (School of Religion) is available to speak to the terror charges that have been laid against Nathaniel Veltman. The 20-year-old is accused in the London, Ontario vehicle attack, that killed four members of a family, and injured a fifth.
“While terrorism charges have largely been used in the past with reference to Al-Qaeda or ISIS inspired activity, there seems to be a bit of a cultural shift happening in law enforcement where different kinds of perpetrators are also being charged with terrorism offenses,” says Dr. Amarasingam. “The challenge will be whether they can actually prove it in court. A lot of these lone-actor attackers aren't necessarily linked to any organized - and listed - entity, so it may prove very hard to prove motive in court, if there isn't clear evidence. Whatever comfort is brought to communities of colour in seeing terrorism charges applied more broadly could also go out the window if these cases aren't actually won.”
To arrange an interview, please contact communications officer Julie Brown (343-363-2763 or Julie.brown@queensu.ca) at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.
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