Man arrested after Independent candidate’s election poster shot up in Quebec City

QUEBEC – A 26-year-old Quebec City man has been arrested after the election poster of an Independent candidate was shot up.

Local police say the act did not meet criteria to be considered a hate crime.

Police spokeswoman Melanie Jobin says the man turned himself in Tuesday and was released on conditions and a promise to appear in court.

Authorities are recommending charges of mischief on an electoral document and negligent use of a firearm.

On Monday, Ali Dahan, an Independent candidate running in the Jean-Talon riding, filed a police complaint after finding one of his posters vandalized with plastic bullets.

The provincial riding is located in the same area as the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, the site of a deadly mosque shooting in January 2017.

The poster in question was at Saint-Benoit park, a few kilometres away from the mosque.

Quebec City police say they also seized an air rifle, four magazines, bullets and other accessories.