A Canadian judge has recently rendered a verdict classifying the actions of a man who tragically ended the lives of four members of a Muslim family and gravely wounded their young son as an act of white nationalist terrorism.
The perpetrator, Nathaniel Veltman, aged 22, has been handed down five life sentences – four for the murders he committed and an additional one for attempted murder. His guilt was determined by a jury back in November, following the horrific events that unfolded in 2021 in London, Ontario, a city located approximately 120 miles (200km) southwest of Toronto.
The victims of this act were Salman Afzaal, 46, and his wife Madiha Salman, 44, who lost their lives when Veltman deliberately struck them with his truck. The impact of the tragedy extended further as their daughter, Yumna Afzaal, 15, and Mr. Afzaal’s 74-year-old mother, Talat Afzaal, also perished in the attack. Their nine-year-old son was left with severe injuries.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Veltman chose the family at random, noticing the traditional Pakistani dress worn by the women. The judge pointed out that Veltman singled out “innocent victims he had never met” and following the crimes, he admitted to the police his actions and made the OK symbol – a gesture that has been co-opted by white supremacists.
Veltman has been designated ineligible for parole for a period of 25 years, ensuring a significant duration of imprisonment for his abhorrent actions.
This case marked the first instance where a Canadian jury was confronted with legal arguments concerning white supremacist terrorism. In a sentencing hearing held earlier in January, an unprecedented number of nearly 70 victim impact statements were presented in court.
The profound loss experienced by the relatives and friends of the Muslim family (Afzaals), particularly their orphaned son, was vividly articulated in many of these statements. The boy, in a written message shared during the January hearing, expressed the deep sorrow of losing his family, highlighting the challenges he now faces, including the painful process of removing a metal plate from his leg and relearning how to walk.
He concluded his poignant message with advice to other youngsters, urging them to cherish moments with their siblings, even in times of annoyance, as the absence of loved ones leaves an enduring ache.
The Afzaal family, originally from Islamabad, Pakistan, had relocated to Canada in 2007. Their tragic deaths sent shockwaves through the Muslim community in London and Canada, emphasizing the pressing need for unity and resilience in the face of such senseless acts of violence.
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