Toronto Police arrests Sri Lankan who illegally videoed people shouting on the street (video)

A social media activist of Sri Lankan origin, accused of harassing people walking on the streets of Toronto, Canada, by video recording them without their permission and using obscene language, has been arrested by the local police. The arrested individual is 45-year-old Mohamed Askar Mohamed-Rasiq, against whom four charges of criminal harassment have been filed.

According to the police, he forcibly approached individuals in various locations across Toronto and video recorded them in a manner that caused them severe discomfort.

According to a statement released by the Toronto Police Service, the suspect was arrested on December 10, 2025, and presented before the Ontario Court on February 4, 2026. The police have also uncovered several alleged incidents committed by him. It is reported that on May 26, 2025, and again on October 4, he approached a female police officer on duty, video recorded her, and made unwanted comments about her appearance. Additionally, in August 2025, an incident was filed against him for placing his phone very close to the face of a transit worker at Union Station while video recording, and making derogatory remarks about the worker's ethnicity.

Furthermore, in June and September 2025, near Dundas Street and David Pecaut Square, he harassed two women by video recording them without permission, and when asked to stop, the suspect behaved confrontationally with them, according to the police. Criminal harassment is an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison under Canadian criminal law. The police have released a photograph of the suspect, stating that there may be other victims who have been harassed by him, and urging them to contact the police immediately if they exist.

Examining the comments posted on social media regarding this incident reveals that the majority of people have expressed strong appreciation for the Toronto Police's arrest of the suspect. Many have pointed out that although he introduced himself as an 'influencer,' he is in fact a person who harasses the public. Some have also opined that his behavior might be a mental disorder or a pathological need for attention. Sri Lankans living in Canada, in particular, have expressed deep regret and shame over this incident, believing that such individuals bring disrepute to the entire Sri Lankan community.

Furthermore, this incident has led to some verbal attacks exchanged on social media between individuals of Indian and Sri Lankan origin, with some Indians using it as a criticism against Sri Lankans, while others have interpreted it from a religious perspective. However, the overwhelming majority believe that the law should be strictly enforced against him, and if found guilty, he should be deported from Canada. Many critics have pointed out that while video recording in a public place is a right, escalating it to the level of harassment is unacceptable.

Watch the video related to this incident ›