Mosque Murder Suspect A Trump, Far Right Fan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A university student accused of carrying out the horrific massacre on a mosque in Quebec City was a fan of US President Donald Trump, a far right leader in France and the separatist Parti Quebecois, according to what appeared to be his Facebook account.
A handcuffed Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, made a brief court appearance Monday at which he was arraigned on six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder. Wearing a white jumpsuit, the tired-looking accused stared at his feet and fidgeted during the hearing.
Bissonnette — the grandson of a decorated Second World War veteran, according to the social media profile in his name — was then remanded in custody until his next appearance Feb. 21, the Canadian Press reported on Tuesday.
Police offered no information on what they believe motivated Sunday's shooting, which Prime Minister Trudeau has denounced as a terrorist act.
"The charges that have been laid are those that were disclosed by the evidence so far," said Michel Fortin, with the Quebec prosecutor's office. "It's an ongoing investigation."
The Facebook profile in Bissonnette's name indicates that he "liked" Trump, French politician Marine Le Pen, the separatist Parti Quebecois and the Israeli armed forces. Le Pen, the leader of France's National Front in France who has won accolades from white supremacists, is known for her anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant ideology.
Hema-Quebec, which manages the blood supply in Quebec, said Monday that Bissonette is an employee of the agency.
It said in a statement that as an organization whose "primary mission is devoted to the gift of life," the arrest of Bissonette as a suspect in the mosque shooting has sent a "shock wave" through the organization.
Hema-Quebec also said it would not comment further due to ongoing police investigation.
