Muslim-Hating Iranian gets 4 Years for Attack on Edm. Dentist

July 3, 2008

Author: Karen Kleiss

Source: Canwest News Service/Edmonton Journal

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=b5b045bc-3f70-47a3-8bd1-1afdfb2a7d5c

A Muslim-hating Iranian refugee who nearly killed a dentist in a "brutal" and "shocking" attack was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison.

Provincial Court Judge Mike Allen said Mohammadreza Gholamrezazadehshirazi, 46, and others like him must be deterred from engaging in violent acts that are fuelled by racial bias and religious intolerance.

"This shocking crime must be denounced because violence - and especially violence motivated by racial and religious hatred - cannot be tolerated," Allen said, pausing while an interpreter translated the decision for Gholamrezazadehshirazi.

"The tolerance of our society for the heritage and culture of the individual does not extend to redressing past wrongs by violent acts."