Ottawa police charge a man from Perth in a hate-related cyber harassment investigation

Ottawa police have charged a man in his twenties from Perth, Ontario, following an investigation into repeated harassment via electronic communication.

The police said that the Hate and Bias Crimes Unit took over the investigation and executed a search warrant before charging the man with criminal harassment through repeated communications.

The accused appeared before a court in Ottawa on Friday, July 24, 2026, while the police have not announced his name or specified whether he has been released after his court appearance.

The police also did not reveal the identity of the person or persons targeted by the communications, the nature of the messages and electronic platforms used, or the duration of the behavior under investigation.

Hate Crimes Unit took over the investigation

The charge came after an investigation conducted by the Hate and Bias Crimes Unit of the Ottawa Police, the unit responsible for examining incidents suspected to be motivated by hate or bias.

The police confirmed that they take incidents believed to be motivated by hate seriously, and that investigators will continue to take legal action when evidence is available to prove a violation related to bias, intolerance, or hate.

The statement did not clarify the suspected motive or the group targeted by the alleged behavior, nor did the police announce any additional charges besides criminal harassment through repeated communications.

Limited details about the case

The police did not provide information about the circumstances that initiated the investigation, how the accused was identified, or the materials seized during the execution of the search warrant.

It was also unclear whether the case involves a single complaint or multiple reports, or whether investigators are looking for other victims or witnesses.

The withholding of these details at this stage indicates ongoing legal proceedings and the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of the parties involved.

Call for information

Ottawa police have asked anyone with information related to the case to provide it to the relevant authorities.

Information can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers program via the toll-free number 1-800-222-8477 or through the program’s website.

The police also encourage Ottawa residents to register their surveillance camera locations with the "Cam Safe" program, aiming to help investigators identify recordings that may be useful when incidents occur in nearby areas.

The charge against the man remains an allegation not proven in court, and the accused enjoys the presumption of innocence until proven guilty according to the law.