Canadian man Nathaniel Veltman charged with terrorism after deadly truck attack on Muslim family

Nathaniel Veltman faces terrorism charges in addition to counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder

Police allege the incident in London, Ontario was a planned and premeditated attack targeting Muslims

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Mourners and supporters gather for a public funeral for members of the Afzaal family in London, Canada. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:36am, 15 Jun 2021

Canada is pressing terrorism charges against a man accused of mowing down a Muslim family with a pickup truck, prosecutors said Monday, in an attack denounced as “terrorist” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Four members of the Afzaal family – a man and his wife, their teenage daughter and his mother – were out for a walk in London, Ontario, on June 6, when a truck driver struck them on purpose, according to authorities.

Prosecutors revealed in a brief hearing that they were adding terrorism charges to the four counts of premeditated murder and one of attempted murder levelled last week against 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman, 20.

“The federal and provincial attorneys general provided their consent to commence terrorism proceedings, alleging that the murders and the attempted murder also constitute terrorist activity,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement after the hearing.

Nathaniel Veltman during a court appearance in London, Ontario, Canada. Photo: Reuters

Veltman, who has no criminal record and no known link to any extremist group, told the court via video link that he does not have a lawyer. He has yet to enter a plea and is set to reappear in court on June 21.