Quebec's police watchdog says a man injured during an arrest in Quebec City for allegedly posting online threats against a political figure is no longer in danger.
The agency, known as the BEI, said Tuesday the 50-year-old remains hospitalized but his condition has improved.
He sustained serious injuries when Quebec City police officers tried to arrest him Monday afternoon near a library in the Beauport district.
The man was allegedly armed with a knife, and police officers said they used a stun gun to bring him down.
When the officers lifted the man off the ground, they noticed the knife was in his abdomen.
Reports have said threats were made against Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault, but her office declined to comment and referred all questions to Quebec City police.
Guilbault told an unrelated news conference in Quebec City Tuesday she has been concerned about the rise of online hate.
"It's easy on social media, you're at home, you write what you want," Guilbault said. "But then, you see there can be arrests, so I invite people to be prudent."
Police in Quebec have reported an increase in the number of online threats targeting politicians and public figures during the pandemic.
Guilbault said partisan politics have been set aside during the pandemic, adding that all of Quebec's politicians are helping the state fight the novel coronavirus.
"I find it worrisome," she said. "I find it discouraging -- threats against politicians when we're all united.
"If there are people who don't agree (with health measures), they have that right but when we move to threats ... or hateful remarks, whether against politicians or others, it has no place."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Oct. 20, 2020.
The Canadian Press
