The release of an 18-year-old Toronto man on bail while facing a litany of serious charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, and hate-motivated offences, has ignited a fierce debate about public safety and the justice system's priorities.
A Catalogue of Alleged Crimes
Osman Azizov, along with two alleged accomplices, faces a total of 14 charges. The allegations, stemming from incidents in late May and June of this year, paint a disturbing picture. Toronto police allege that on May 31, a woman was approached by three men—one armed with a handgun and another with a knife—who attempted to force her into a vehicle before fleeing when interrupted by a passing motorist.
Peel Regional Police allege a second incident on June 24, where three men armed with a handgun, a rifle, and a knife exited a vehicle and chased two female victims. They again fled when a passerby intervened.
Hate and Terrorism Allegations Compound Concerns
The case took an even more sinister turn as the investigation progressed. Police revealed the investigation uncovered additional offences motivated by hate, specifically targeting women and members of the Jewish community. Furthermore, the RCMP has charged one of Azizov's co-accused, Waleed Khan, with terrorism offences related to alleged support for ISIS. Khan was also charged with breaching probation for previous offences.
This creates a troubling nexus: three individuals allegedly attempting to kidnap and sexually assault women, with a potential element of targeted hate against Jewish women, and a link, however indirect in Azizov's specific case, to international terrorism ideology.
A Bail Decision That Defies Public Understanding
The central point of controversy is the decision to grant Azizov bail while he awaits trial on these grave allegations. The question being asked by commentators and the public alike is straightforward: how is this not enough to keep an accused individual behind bars pending trial?
As columnist Chris Selley argues, this decision seems to exploit the general Canadian aversion to vigilantism. The consensus appears to be that nobody, except perhaps Azizov himself, believes it is appropriate for him to be out on the street while facing these specific charges. This sentiment is suggested to span the political and legal spectrum, from progressive law professors to defence lawyers and justice critics.
Critics warn that such high-profile bail decisions risk discrediting broader, legitimate efforts at prison reform and the notion that fewer people should be incarcerated. It becomes difficult to advocate for systemic change when the public sees individuals accused of such violent, hate-driven crimes released back into the community.
The case of Osman Azizov has become a flashpoint, forcing a difficult conversation about where the balance lies between the rights of the accused and the fundamental right of women and targeted communities to feel safe on the streets of Toronto.
