Arson suspect identified but likely left country: police

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London police say they have identified a suspect in a suspected arson attack at a northwest London house where pro-Palestinian signs were stolen, but investigators believe he has left the country.

Genadi Nacshonov, 55, of London, has not been found, police said Friday evening, but he has been charged by arrest warrant with seven offenses, including arson with disregard for life.

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The June 8 fire at the Wateroak Drive home was condemned by local Muslim leaders and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who described it as “an act of hatred” and urged Canadians to continue fighting against the Islamophobia.

Nacshonov is charged with arson with disregard for human life, mischief under $5,000, uttering threats and damage to property, criminal harassment by menacing conduct, intentional disguise, theft under $5,000 $ and trespassing at night, police said.

Det. Inspector Alex Krygsman, Head of Investigative Services at London Police, thanked the community for their patience and assistance in the investigation.

“Our investigative team worked tirelessly to identify a suspect and ensure appropriate charges were laid. Although charges have been filed, this investigation continues to be active and ongoing, and will remain so until the accused is taken into custody,” he said in a press release.

The statement did not say why investigators believe Nacshonov left the country or where he went.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call London police at 519-661-5670.

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Nehal Al Tarhuni, president of the Canadian Palestinian Social Association and a friend of the family whose house was damaged by fire, told The Free Press earlier this week: someone took down a pro-Palestinian sign on the front lawn a few weeks ago.

She said that when the family replaced it, the person came back and shredded the sign with a knife in the middle of the night and left a note that said: “If I see you put up that damn Palestinian sign again free – I’m warning you.

The family replaced the sign again last week, but this time more than a dozen neighbors also posted it, Al Tarhuni said.

“They put up signs on their street to show solidarity with their neighbors,” she said.

A few days before the fire, the culprit came back to the house and stole all the signs before dousing the front porch with liquid, Al Tarhuni said.

Then, on Saturday, June 8, London Firefighters responded shortly after 10:30 p.m. to a fire at the entrance of the two-story home. The fire was extinguished before it could spread, but left a blackened front door and smoke stains. surrounding the entrance.

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No one was injured and damage was estimated at $30,000.

The family who lives in the house declined interview requests.

Krygsman said over the weekend that police were investigating the fire as a possible hate incident.

Investigators believe the same person is responsible for stealing, damaging the signs and starting the fire, he said.

London police released a photo of the suspect, described as a man between 30 and 50 years old, of medium to heavy build. He wore gray shoes, dark pants, a light gray zippered sweater with black accents under the arms, a dark colored beanie, and a medical mask.

Hikma Public Affairs Council, an advocacy group for London Muslims, denounced the arson and said it was particularly disturbing because it happened just days after the third birthday of the attack on the Afzaal family.

“These kinds of incidents still exist and these kinds of attacks still happen despite all the calls to fight against hatred,” said spokesperson Nawaz Tahir.

Talat Afzaal, 74, his son Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, and their daughter Yumnah, 15, were struck and killed by a pickup truck at the corner of Hyde Park and South Carriage roads while they were walking on June 6, 2021.

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The driver of the pickup, Nathaniel Veltman, 22, was a white nationalist who harbored intense resentment toward Muslims. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murders and attempted murder of a young child who survived.

The judge who sentenced him in February admitted that he had committed a terrorist act.

Hundreds of Londoners attended a vigil for the Afzaal family on June 6 at the corner where they were hit, about a kilometer from the burned house.

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