Preacher Adil Charkaoui was arrested by Montreal police for assault after his run-in with a CEGEP Maisonneuve security officer.

According to two sources familiar with the case but who were not authorized to speak publicly, La Presse has learned that Mr. Charkaoui was arrested Friday and released on a promise to appear in court at a later date. He had to commit to meet certain conditions before then.

At SPVM (Montreal police), the Communications Director refuses to comment, noting that she never confirmed the arrests before the suspects are charged.

La Presse revealed Thursday that police had to intervene at Maisonneuve college last Sunday at the request of a security officer who had been in trouble with Adil Charkaoui and a group of people who used a gym for a soccer game.

According to representatives of the college, the security officer was manhandled and remains badly shaken (by the events). The management (of the school) said they are now looking to cancel the gymnasium rental contract with this group.

La Presse has tried unsuccessfully to join Adil Charkaoui Saturday for comment.

Yesterday, the event organizer defended the preacher, saying that it was rather the security guard that had provoked the users of the gym. He also denied any hustle.

"Mr. Charkaoui, who acted as referee, stepped in to calm things down, because the security guard was provoking the young people and was daring the players to hit him with the ball," he said.

Adil Charkaoui once rented premises in this college for courses in Arabic and religion. his activities were suspended after the departure of some of his followers to Syria. Management then allowed him to return, but in the presence of an observer who would monitor the course content. In June the classes were stopped.

This is the first time that the preacher is arrested by the police since his arrest under a federal security certificate in 2003. The authorities then suspected him of being a sleeper agent of Al Qaeda. The certificate was canceled when the government refused to make public some evidence that it said it held for this purpose. Mr. Charkaoui is now suing Ottawa for damages for 26 million.