Threats against mosques, mayors leads to arrest

A 57-year-old Quebec man was arrested early Thursday for allegedly threatening two mayors, including one who has been in the news recently for encouraging people to support and understand Muslims.

Sherbrooke police alleged the man threatened the city’s mayor, Bernard Sevigny, as well as Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume, as they watched a hockey game Wednesday night.

The two leaders were escorted out of the arena. Police also said the man allegedly threatened to attack mosques in the Sherbrooke region. He was arrested in an apartment after an altercation with police.

“As you understand we intervened very quickly, and the man strongly resisted arrest and hit police officers,” Sherbrooke police spokesman Martin Carrier said.

At a news conference, Sevigny said he’d never felt his life was in danger but that authorities took the threat “very seriously” in light of the deadly mosque shootings in Quebec City on Jan. 29.

“There’s zero tolerance for people who make these kind of threats,” he said. “We will respond rapidly and deploy all the necessary manpower, and that’s what we’ve done here.”

Labeaume has been highly visible in the aftermath of the mosque attack that killed six men. He spoke at two funerals for the victims and was clearly emotional as he discussed the need to embrace the Muslim community.