Man charged in attacks, including one an imam, which Victoria police call ‘random’

VICTORIA — Criminal charges of robbery and assault have been laid after separate attacks in Victoria, including the beating of an imam, although police say the crimes were random.

Victoria police say they were called late Thursday when the imam of a local mosque reported being assaulted as a man tried to force him out of his vehicle.

The BC Muslim Association and the National Council of Canadian Muslims both released statements after the attack, noting that the suspect went after the victim when he was wearing his traditional garments.

The B.C. association says the suspect directed xenophobic remarks at the victim, telling him to “go back to your home country.”