Should we be wary of what we post to social networks like Instagram? Montreal resident Jennifer Pawluck found out the hard way. She posted a picture of Cmdr. Ian Lafrenière, a Montreal police spokesman, shown with a bullet hole piercing his head on March 26th to Instagram, reports the CBC.
According to the law, something deemed a genuine (even if unintentional) threat is grounds for arrest.
She claims she only took a picture of the image but did not create it. Police disagreed and charged her with criminal harassment and intimidation against a high-ranking Montreal police officer. Last Wednesday police picked her up from her home and questioned her for hours, then released on her promise to appear in court.
Montreal police say there is more related to the arrest than what is known at the moment, but hasn’t clarified anything yet.
The National Post says Pawluck has no history of any criminal record but has admitted to being fined by police for participating in anti-tuition marches deemed illegal by police. The picture below was posted to her Instagram timeline:
Pawluck appeared in court today and pleaded not guilty, with further proceedings postponed until May 24th. What do you think about this case?
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
I already had no intention of ever visiting Quebec and this solidifies it. They have a terrible record for civil liberties visa vie the language “sign” law and now this latest example. It was a “picture” of graffiti. Are they going to start arresting reporters covering this story too?
I think rather than fretting whether to fight against the separatist movement, perhaps Quebec should be kicked out of Confederation for their flagrant disregard for civil liberties.
I will never visit the province of Quebec.
the current provincial government was voted in by a minority vote, just like the last two referendums.
i agree this arrest is idiotic but it is a direct result of the dummies fighting the tuition hike that crippled montreal last summer, its not black and white
so as a staunch federalist who fights for canada on a daily basis within quebec id just like to thank you for your support
Anyone who spells vis-a-vis as “visa vie” instantly loses all their credibility…
So stupid. A waste of tax payers money!
This is why no one respect the government. Pure garbage right here.
Why is this garbage? This can be seen as a death threat. If someone posted a picture of you with a bullet hole in your head, would you not want legal action?
i wouldnt mind knowing who painted it in the first place sure… but arresting someone who photographs it is so obviously stupid its painful
Unless there’s more to this story than what’s been reported.
I could not care less, paint away.
You have my pity.
Respect the government that steps on people’s rights and is corrupt to the core? You obviously don’t live in Quebec or you are retarded!
…This is really borderline insane. A picture of a painting counts as a death threat? If I take a photo of litter in Quebec does it mean I littered?
……seriously?!
lol quebec