Trial opens for Quebec teen charged with kirpan assault

A Quebec teenager accused of assaulting a classmate with his ceremonial dagger has pleaded not guilty to three related charges.

The 13-year old Montrealer entered his plea Wednesday in Youth Court, where he is standing trial on three counts of assault with a weapon.

The trial opened with testimony from two alleged victims, twin brothers, who spoke via teleconference.

They allege the teen pulled out his kirpan, a ceremonial dagger, while arguing with them in the school yard at Cavelier de LaSalle High School, in Montreal’s LaSalle borough.

The twins say the boy tore his kirpan from his clothes and waved it around, although the ceremonial knife remained in its carrying case.

The teen is also accused of using his long hairpin to threaten them.

The Sept. 11 incident was sparked during a lunch break when the teen allegedly told the twins to stop following him while on a corner-store-run to buy chewing gum.

The twins' parents called police to complain, which led to formal charges being laid against the teen.

The defendant has been suspended from school since the incident.  

His lawyer says he'll ask the court to order the teenager be allowed to return to school to pursue his studies.