Montreal police charge Kirkland man accused of online hate speech targeting Muslims

Montreal police have arrested a man accused of making hateful social media comments targeting Muslimsand charged him with promoting hatred and uttering threats online.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of two years and five years respectively.

Antonio Padula, 45, was arrested around 2 a.m.Wednesday at a home on de Shediac Street, near de Berne Street in Kirkland.

He will be back in court tomorrow for a bail hearing. The Crown opposesgranting him bail.

"I cannot handle another night in here,"Padula told the judge.

Montreal police spokesman Const. Raphael Bergeron said members of the Sret du Qubeccame across Padula's allegedremarks targeting Muslims while monitoring various social media sites. They transmitted the information to Montreal police.

Montreal police Chief Philippe Pichetsaid Tuesday that since Sunday night's attack at a Quebec City mosque, there has been a spike in reports of hate-related comments.

The force is hiring 55 people whose jobs will includemonitoring social media sites for hate speech.