Ontario judge deems Toronto spa murder an act of incel-motivated terrorism

An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the murder of a Toronto massage parlour employee amounted to an act of terrorism.

Crown prosecutor Lisa Mathews says Justice Suhail Akhtar ruled Tuesday that the attack linked to so-called “incel” ideology is considered “terrorist activity” for sentencing purposes.

She says it is believed to be the first time in Canada that a court has made a finding of incel-motivated terrorist activity.

Terror charges were laid against a then-17-year-old boy after a February 2020 stabbing attack at a massage parlour in north Toronto resulted in the death of 24-year-old Ashley Noelle Arzaga and left another woman seriously injured.

Public Safety Canada said evidence suggested the attack was motivated by “incel” ideology, referring to a fringe internet subculture short for “involuntary celibate” dominated by men who blame women for their lack of sexual relations.

Read more: Toronto Star