Jaggi Singh arrested, faces charges connected with Quebec City protest

Jaggi Singh, a well-known Montreal activist, is facing charges of obstruction and impersonationin connection with an anti-far right protest in Quebec City on Aug. 20.

Singh, 46, was initially arrested by Quebec City police during the protest, but was later released without charge.

In a news release issued Tuesday, Quebec City police say they issued an arrest warrant for Singh after an investigation.

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Police said the counter-protest Singh participated in last Sunday was declared illegal and a number of criminal acts were committed.

"The SPVQ takes the situation very seriously," it said.

Singh was arrested in Montreal Tuesday and is to appear in a Quebec City court Wednesday to face the charges.

Singh issues statement: 'Long live the Nordiques'

In a statement issued through his lawyer Arij Riahi Tuesday, the activist acknowledged his arrest and said he was in police custody,doing OK.

He said he was arrested for impersonatingformer QuebecNordiqueshockey star MichelGoulet.

"I would appreciate support from people in Quebec City as I appear in court tomorrow," he said. "Long live the Nordiques!"

Singh had earliertold CBC that the goal of the counter-protestwas to "prevent racists and Islamophobes from having a public platform."

It was organized to opposean anti-immigration rally organized by the far-right group La Meute.

The counter-demonstration began peacefully, but was declared illegal by police when black-clad protestors jostled with authorities and threw projectiles at La Meute members.

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