A 24-year-old Montreal man has been arrested and charged with criminal defamation after posting videos on social media that insulted police officers.
Mohamed Bekkali appeared in court following his arrest on July 2, 2026.
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He faces three counts of publishing defamatory libel against three officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
The alleged incidents occurred on June 13 and 14 in Montreal.
They stemmed from previous interactions, including a traffic stop filmed in summer 2025 and released on TikTok in March.
Under Article 298 of the Criminal Code, defamatory libel covers published material without justification that harms someone's reputation by exposing them to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.
Bekkali was released under a promise to refrain from posting content regarding police work. If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of two years.
Investigators noted that recent posts targeting police involved artificial intelligence. The court ordered the removal of most published videos.
Authorities had previously identified Bekkali in connection with suspected financial fraud involving fake identities and driver's licenses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Mayor and Officials Respond
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada addressed the case while attending the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.
She emphasized that disrespect toward law enforcement will not be tolerated.
"The arrest and charges brought today show that there are limits that must not be crossed," said Mayor Martinez Ferrada.
"It sends a clear message that respect for our police officers is not negotiable. It was the right thing to do."
