A Canadian man named Nathaniel Veltman, 22, has been convicted of murder in the 2021 killings of a Muslim family in London, Ontario. The jury did not specify whether Veltman was motivated by terrorism when he killed four members of the Afzaal family. The case marked the first time Canada’s terrorism laws were argued before a jury at a first-degree murder trial.
Veltman drove his truck into the Afzaal family while they were walking together, resulting in the deaths of Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their daughter Yumna Afzaal, 15, and Mr. Afzaal’s mother Talat Afzaal, 74. Their nine-year-old son survived but was seriously injured. The jury deliberated for less than six hours before delivering the guilty verdict. Despite the lack of a terrorism specification, the verdict brings some relief to the Muslim community in Canada and signifies that justice has been served.
The National Council of Muslims (NCCM) expressed relief that justice had been served, acknowledging the impact of the attack on the Canadian Muslim community. They emphasized that the attack had changed the relationship between Canadian Muslims and their country, leading to feelings of unsafety and being targeted while simply walking down the street.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Veltman was motivated by hate and white nationalist ideologies when he deliberately ran down the Afzaal family. They presented evidence of a document outlining Veltman’s hatred for Muslims, which was found by the police after his arrest. Additionally, they revealed Veltman’s consumption of far-right and anti-Muslim content online, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Veltman, on the other hand, claimed that he suffered from mental illness and pleaded not guilty. He attributed his actions to a strict Christian upbringing, obsessive compulsive disorder, and detachment from reality due to the consumption of magic mushrooms in the days leading up to the attack. However, Veltman admitted that the thought of running over Muslims had crossed his mind twice after taking the drug, and he could not resist the “urge” when he encountered the Afzaal family. During his closing arguments, Crown lawyer Fraser Ball emphasized that Veltman intended to send a “clear message” and make “all Muslims fearful for their safety.”
The guilty verdict and subsequent sentencing of Veltman will be crucial in determining justice for the victims and bringing closure to their families. While the punishment for first-degree murder in Canada is life imprisonment with no parole for 25 years, the judge may consider additional factors during the sentencing, including whether the murders should be deemed an act of terrorism. Justice Renee Pomerance expressed gratitude to the jury for their verdict, acknowledging the length and challenges of the trial.
The outcome of this case will have significant societal impacts, particularly in terms of the perception of safety and equal treatment for Muslim communities in Canada. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against hate crimes and the importance of justice and accountability in addressing such acts of violence. The verdict allows the Muslim community to find solace in knowing that the perpetrator has been held accountable for his actions, while also highlighting the need for continued efforts in combating hatred and discrimination.
