Independent Canadian Journalist Alleges Harassment by Pro-Khalistani in Vancouver
“Eventually, I had to call 911.”
Independent Canadian Journalist Alleges Harassment by Pro-Khalistani in Vancouver
Vancouver, June 9 – An independent Canadian journalist has alleged that he was harassed and threatened by a group of pro-Khalistan activists while covering a rally in Vancouver on Sunday.
Journalist Mocha Bezirgan claimed, “It just happened two hours ago and I’m still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They threatened me, got physical, and snatched my phone out of my hand.”
Bezirgan said the incident was especially stressful because it involved an individual who has allegedly been harassing him online for a long time, often using dehumanizing language.
“I was targeted because of my editorial independence and my ongoing coverage of Khalistan-related protests in Canada, the UK, US, and New Zealand. Some people are frustrated because they can’t influence me or buy me,” he stated.
The journalist claimed that the main harasser is not even a Canadian citizen but from the UK, and was in Canada "threatening and interfering" with his journalistic work.
“I was just doing my job, reporting from a public event where Khalistanis gathered to honour their so-called martyrs, including the assassins of Indira Gandhi.”
Recounting the incident, Bezirgan said one individual aggressively approached him and kept invading his personal space while provoking him.
“He kept saying ‘let’s go around the corner, I’ll show you around the corner if you’re not scared.’ This was not a conversation, he kept coming at my face, very close proximity and …he was asking lauded questions and won’t even allow me to answer,” he added..”
He claimed 2–3 more individuals surrounded him in with the same physical closeness.
“I had nowhere to go... I was recording a secretly from my camera because I thought something physical was about to happen, but to get a better view I started recording from a phone as well and as soon as I did that they turned their faces away. They are scared. But this individual he keeps walking towards me.”
“Then eventually he grabbed my phone out of my hand…police was engaging with him and telling him to stop this harassing behavior.”
Bezirgan noted that he had filed previous police complaints against the same person but was disappointed that the individual was still roaming free.
“Canadian police are very conservative with arrests and charges—they exercise a lot of restraint, which I respect—but this man should be deported back to the UK. What is he doing here, interfering with the work of a Canadian journalist?”
The journalist said the harassment continued even after police warned the individual.
He claimed the individual followed me throughout the event. “Eventually, I had to call 911.” A police officer on a bicycle followed me to a train station to ensure my safety.
Bezirgan added that he has video evidence of the harassment and plans to upload it to his channel soon.
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