Man charged after antisemitic graffiti found in Halifax
Posted Sep 17, 2025 12:29:28 PM.
Last Updated Sep 17, 2025 01:59:54 PM.
Regional police have charged a man in connection with six antisemitic graffiti messages found in Halifax over the weekend.
On Sunday, police responded to three incidents of racist graffiti written directly on synagogues, while the other three incidents involved graffiti written on sidewalks nearby.
Police said Gezim Topalli. 31, was arrested at his home in Halifax on Tuesday and was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Wednesday to face several charges, including mischief related to religious property, property damage and public incitement of hatred.
“I am pleased with the outcome of this investigation. While I credit the quick and thorough work of HRP’s hate crime investigator, I also want to thank the public who came forward to help identify the suspect,” said Chief Don MacLean. “The swift and seamless collaboration between police and the community represents our city taking a strong and unified stance against the promotion of hatred.”
Police said anyone exposed to behaviour that is offensive, threatening or intimidating is encouraged to report it to HRP.
The incidents prompted Premier Tim Houston to weigh in, writing in a social media post how problematic the situation is.
“The targeting of synagogues in Halifax with antisemitic graffiti is absolutely disgraceful,” he wrote. “We are better than this as a province. I stand in support of our Jewish friends and neighbours who are shaken by this act of hate. This hatred has no place in Nova Scotia.”
