NDP leadership hopeful stands trial over mass e-mail campaign directed at detective

A prospective NDP leadership candidate stood trial in Montreal on Friday for harassment and obstruction of justice in a case involving thousands of e-mails his supporters sent a police detective during a previous criminal investigation.

Yves Engler, a prominent left-wing author and self-described “agitator,” is known for his activism that has included confronting politicians in public and posting videos online. He is waiting to learn whether the NDP will approve his candidacy through its vetting process.