A self-styled online media personality whose websites frequently air anti-Muslim content has been ordered to pay the owner of a prominent Middle Eastern restaurant chain millions of dollars after publicly accusing him of funding terrorism.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Jane Ferguson ordered Kevin J. Johnston to pay a total of $2.5 million in damages for defamation to Mohamad Fakih, the owner and founder of Paramount Fine Foods.
Get daily National news
Johnston, who operated websites including FreedomReport.ca and recently came in second place in Mississauga’s mayoral race, posted multiple videos attacking Fakih.
READ MORE: Anti-Muslim activist forced to apologize to GTA restauranteur over hateful comments
In the videos, shot in 2017, Johnston made a series of incendiary statements including a claim Fakih was an “economic terrorist” with backing from the Pakistani spy agency.
He also alleged restaurant policy barred staff from admitting anyone who wasn’t a “jihadist.”
Ferguson says Johnston’s words amounted to hate speech that called for particularly strong condemnation from the court.
- 2 men who intervened in Toronto Jack Astor’s bar fight not guilty of manslaughter
- Hockey stick signed by Leafs legend Bill Barilko sells for $70K at auction
- No decision on temporary Ontario Science Centre location, minister says
- New Ontario Place renderings show above-ground, waterfront parking garage
Comments