On March 13, 2026, the Hate Crime Unit of the Toronto Police Service issued the following statement:
Case #: 2026-476027
The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an arrest made in a hate-motivated Criminal Harassment investigation.
Between February 28, 2026, and March 6, 2026, the accused engaged in harassing conduct targeting the complainant.
It is alleged that:
the accused attended the complainant’s residence on two separate occasions and began banging on the door while making racist and anti-Semitic remarks
the accused re-attended the complaint’s residence on a third occasion where he stood outside and played a speech given by Adolph Hitler on his cellular telephone
Rostam Rashidkhani, 27, of Toronto, was charged with:
two counts of Criminal Harassment
two counts of Mischief – Interfere with the Lawful Enjoyment of Property
one count of Causing a Disturbance
He is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., in room 202.
This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence by the Hate Crime Unit (HCU).
If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.
Corporate Communications for Hate Crime Unit