2006 Ontario terrorism plot

Plot by Islamic extremists March 2012 2006 Ontario terrorism case Ottawa and Toronto June 2, 2006 – Planned but never executed Arrest of Saad Khalid and Saad Gaya (1).jpg Saad Khalid and Saad Gaya, two of the Toronto 18, handling fertilizer just before authorities arrested them Various places in Canada and Southern Ontario, including Parliament Hill, the Prime Minister of Canada, CSIS Headquarters, and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Conspiracy 0 0 18 (11 convicted) The 2006 Ontario terrorism case was the plotting of a series of attacks against targets in Southern Ontario, Canada, and the June 2, 2006 counter-terrorism raids in and around the Greater Toronto Area that resulted in the arrest of 14 adults and 4 youths (the "Toronto 18"). These individuals have been characterized as having been inspired by al-Qaeda. They were accused of planning to detonate truck bombs, to open fire in a crowded area, and to storm the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, the Parliament of Canada building, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) headquarters, and the parliamentary Peace Tower to take hostages and to behead the Prime Minister and other leaders. Following the jury trial in June 2010, a comprehensive presentation of the case and the evidence obtained from court exhibits previously restricted was given by Isabel Teotonio of the Toronto Star. It contained the details on guilty pleas, convictions, and stayed/dismissed charges. The Ontario Court of Appeal released their decision on December 17, 2010. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/908672--appeal-court-hikes-sentences-for-terror-convictions Toronto Star Tracey Tyler Appeal court hikes sentences for terror convictions December 17, 2010 December 17, 2010 Seven adults pleaded guilty, including the two ringleaders—Fahim Ahmad, who was sentenced to 16 years, and Zakaria Amara, who received a life sentence and initially had his Canadian citizenship revoked but later restored following the passage of Bill C-6.https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/09/26/canada-revokes-citizenship-of-toronto-18-terror-mastermind.html Canada revokes citizenship of Toronto 18 terror mastermind - The Star thestar.com September 26, 2015 April 15, 2018Immigration minister defends legislation that prevents convicted dual nationals from losing citizenship https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/immigration-minister-defends-legislation-to-prevents-convicted-dual-nationals-from-losing-citizenship 6 October 2017 National Post 1 March 2017 The remaining five received sentences ranging from seven to 20 years. A further three adults and one youth were convicted at trial; the youth was sentenced to 2.5 years while the adults received sentences of 6.5 years, ten years, and life imprisonment. Four adults and two youths were released after the charges against them were stayed and one youth had his charges dismissed.http://www3.thestar.com/static/toronto18/index.html TORONTO 18 - thestar.com www3.thestar.com April 15, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181006004104/http://www3.thestar.com/static/toronto18/index.html October 6, 2018 dead Pre-arrest events Infiltration On November 27, 2005, Mubin Shaikh (a police agent) met with members of the terrorist group at an information meeting at a banquet hall regarding the use of security certificates in Canada, and began his infiltration of the group.Singh, Gurmukh. The Indian News, Bomb-laden trucks planned in Toronto terror plot https://web.archive.org/web/20110524093208/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/bomb-laden-trucks-planned-in-toronto-terror-plot_10058809.html May 24, 2011 , June 11, 2008 He was told that they had planned a training camp near Orillia. They asked Shaikh if he would join them and teach them how to use a gun, since he had mentioned his military and martial arts training, and shown them his Possession and Acquisition Licence.PBS, Frontline, Canada: The Cell Next Door, January 30, 2007 Orillia training camp The trip by the group, ages 15–42, was to a wooded area near Orillia, Ontario, from December 18–31, 2005.https://www.thestar.com/article/350909 Alleged Toronto terror plot detailed in court Toronto Star March 26, 2008 March 25, 2010 Isabel Teotonio It was monitored by more than 200 police officers. https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/507480 Convicted youth excelled at training camp Toronto Star September 27, 2008 March 25, 2010 Isabel Teotonio Authorities say that "the internet played a large role in the suspects' planning".Dube, Rebecca Cook The Christian Science Monitor Boston https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0606/p01s02-woam.html Canada faces jihad generation June 6, 2006 Six months prior to the planned attack, the group watched a video over the internet of Anwar al Awlaki (the imam who was connected to three of the 9/11 hijackers) preaching about the need for jihad. https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/711964--the-powerful-online-voice-of-jihad The powerful online voice of jihad Toronto Star October 18, 2009 March 25, 2010 Michelle Shephard https://web.archive.org/web/20100424220634/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/711964--the-powerful-online-voice-of-jihad April 24, 2010 live The ringleader gave sermons comparing the Canadian countryside to Chechnya, and calling for victory over "Rome", which prosecutors alleged was a reference to Canada.Brean, Joseph National Post Toronto https://nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=577856 https://archive.today/20080611101408/http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=577856 dead June 11, 2008 We weren't out there picking daisies June 10, 2008 "Whether we get arrested, killed, or tortured, our mission is greater than just individuals," he said. http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/420595 Terrorist threat to Canada is real The Record September 27, 2008 Kitchener, Ont. March 25, 2010 He also said: "We're not officially al-Qaida but we share their principles and methods" around a campfire.National Post Toronto http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=fb8e207e-2c1f-46e6-bfcb-d6be4e6c0f5f September 25, 2008 Ontario man guilty of taking part in terror plot dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131026125722/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=fb8e207e-2c1f-46e6-bfcb-d6be4e6c0f5f October 26, 2013 In 2008, a video made at the camp documenting their actions was made public, after the media obtained them through the British trial of Aabid Khan (who was convicted of being a terrorist propagandist), thus working around the publication ban that forbade them from showing evidence from the Canadian trials. The home video showed masked men in winter camouflage marching through the snow in an Ontario forest, shouting "Allahu Akbar"—or "God is Great"—while waving a black flag. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080918/released_video_080918?s_name=&no_ads= https://web.archive.org/web/20220703080732/https://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080918/released_video_080918?s_name=&no_ads= dead July 3, 2022 Video of alleged Toronto terror group released CTV News September 18, 2008 March 25, 2010 The video was obtained by the NEFA Foundation (Nine-Eleven Finding Answers Foundation). http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_national.php?id=135191 Video evidence in trial of alleged Toronto terrorist plot surfaces on U.S. website The Chronicle Journal Thunder Bay, Ont. September 18, 2008 March 25, 2010 October 2010 H3llBot The video also showed the men daring each other to jump over campfires, and driving in a Canadian Tire parking lot late at night, alternatively described as "evasive driving maneuvers" or simply having fun driving doughnuts on the slippery ice. The film had been dubbed with Nasheed music,National Post Toronto https://globalnews.ca/news/73734/video-of-alleged-ont-terror-group-released/ Video of alleged Ont. terror group released September 18, 2008 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/lawyer-of-terror-suspect-expresses-concern-over-video-1.695241 Lawyer of terror suspect expresses concern over video CBC News Toronto September 19, 2008 March 25, 2010 and the informant admitted that he had "choreographed" some of the scenes, arranging the campers to perform for the camera in a militant fashion upon the instruction of Zakaria Amara who did the filming. The youths frequented the local coffee shop, still dressed in their fatigues. Shaikh, the police agent, was accused by the defence of having played a "key role" in setting up and running the trip,Freeze Colin The Globe and Mail Toronto http://www.rcmpwatch.com/rcmp-agent-concedes-key-role-in-set-up-running-of-terrorist-training-camp/ RCMP agent concedes key role in set-up, running of terrorist training camp January 31, 2009 March 25, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110725162522/http://www.rcmpwatch.com/rcmp-agent-concedes-key-role-in-set-up-running-of-terrorist-training-camp/ July 25, 2011 purchasing many of the supplies used, and being the "military trainer" at the camp. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/informant-says-militant-training-camp-was-potty-training-exercise-1.764918?ref=rss Informant says militant training camp was 'potty training' exercise June 11, 2008 CBC Shaikh gave firearms lessons to the accused, but at their request purchased a rifle and ammunition for the group. Shaikh showed the "campers" how to fire an illegal 9 mm handgun and ammunition which belonged to Faheem Ahmad.Teotino, Isabel Toronto Star Terror camp police mole on his own, court told February 6, 2009Wark, Wesley Ottawa Citizen http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=d61fb954-ff43-4910-9f43-48e8fd6316c5 The beginning of terrorism August 9, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121105042450/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=d61fb954-ff43-4910-9f43-48e8fd6316c5 November 5, 2012 Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/356924 Suspect told 'terrorist camp' was camping trip March 26, 2008 He also gave "exhortational sermons on Jihad",Leong, Melissa National Post Toronto http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=a1eda3d1-e0f5-46e0-8761-ef951c0e3a92 Ontario terror case far from over June 2, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121108100022/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=a1eda3d1-e0f5-46e0-8761-ef951c0e3a92 November 8, 2012 but described the camp itself as hapless. Rockwood training camp Held over two days in May 2006 at the Rockwood Conservation Area, the second camping trip, consisting of 10 people, came after members complained about fearing that police would arrest them for having known two Americans who had just been arrested.https://nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=569571 https://archive.today/20080617195757/http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=569571 dead June 17, 2008 Terrorism suspect feared he was 'sitting duck,' trial hears National Post Canada June 7, 2008 March 25, 2010 A youth, who cannot be named, appeared in videos with the rest of the group, meant to mimic Jihadist beheading videos coming out of the Invasion of Iraq, sitting in front of a flag, and flanked by two hunting knives. During the filming, the leader kept trying to effect giggles from the adolescents, who were trying "to look tough" for the "mock" video.Walkom, Thomas. Toronto Star, Crown's linchpin shakes case, June 25, 2008 Targets The group was preparing a large-scale terrorist attack in southern Ontario. They planned to detonate truck bombs in at least three locations, and open fire in a crowded area. They also made plans to storm various buildings such as the Canadian Broadcasting Centre and the Canadian Parliament building, and take hostages. Law enforcement authorities identified other targets, including the CSIS headquarters, the Parliamentary Buildings' Peace Tower, and power grids.Appleby Timothy Freeze Colin June 5, 2006 Plot targeted Peace Tower, sources say https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/plot-targeted-peace-tower-sources-say/article20412193/ 2026-07-04 The Globe and Mail en-CAhttps://www.thestar.com/article/440536 "Toronto targets picked, terror trial told", Toronto Star, June 10, 2008, accessed November 20, 2009 Toronto Star June 10, 2008 March 25, 2010 Isabel Teotonio According to one of the suspect's lawyers, they were also accused of planning to "behead the Prime Minister", Stephen Harper, and other leaders.http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/06/06/canada.terror/index.html – Lawyer: Government says terror plans included beheading – Jun 7, 2006 CNN June 7, 2006 March 25, 2010http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=c8008ad3-54e2-4155-98d1-6687c5649db3&k=1929 Terror suspects plotted two separate attacks Canada.com June 6, 2006 March 25, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121013040135/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=c8008ad3-54e2-4155-98d1-6687c5649db3&k=1929 October 13, 2012 Arrests, reaction, and court proceedings Arrests Video footage of the sting operation in which two suspects were arrested right 230px The raids were carried out by a Canadian inter-agency task force, the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), which coordinated the activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the CSIS, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and other police forces, as the operation was spread across several different jurisdictions in southern Ontario, in the area north of Toronto. The police stated that one of the arrested men ordered three metric tonnes (6,600 pounds) of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, a potentially powerful ingredient often used as quarry and mining explosives. This weight has widely been compared to the amount of ammonium nitrate used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing in the United States. The official account estimates the ammonium nitrate in the Oklahoma City bomb at 2,000 pounds, or about 0.9 metric tonnes. There was not any imminent danger to the public, as a harmless substance was substituted for the ordered ammonium nitrate and delivered to the men by INSET officers in a sting operation. The RCMP said that the CSIS had been monitoring the individuals since 2004, later joined by the RCMP.http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060603/toronto_arrests_060603/20060604?hub=TorontoHome https://web.archive.org/web/20061011193050/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060603/toronto_arrests_060603/20060604?hub=TorontoHome dead October 11, 2006 RCMP arrests 17, foiling alleged Ont. bomb plot CTV.ca June 3, 2006 March 25, 2010 The suspects, all adherents to a radical form of Islam, were alleged by CSIS to have been inspired by al-Qaeda.https://www.dawn.com/news/195428/17-held-in-terror-plot-in-canada 17 held in terror plot in Canada -DAWN – Top Stories; June 4, 2006 Dawn.com June 4, 2006 March 25, 2010 September 27, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130927023808/http://dawn.com/news/195428/17-held-in-terror-plot-in-canada live mdy-all A direct connection seems unlikely.https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/world/americas/04toronto.html?ei=5087%0A&en=9a73d1adefdf1e34&ex=1149566400&pagewanted=all The New York Times 17 Held in Plot to Bomb Sites in Ontario Ian Austen David Johnston June 4, 2006 April 22, 2010 The investigation started with intelligence officials monitoring Internet chat sites. The suspects were charged under the anti-terrorism legislationhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/background/cdnsecurity/ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation February 27, 2007 Anti-terrorism Act Oct 21, 2009 passed by Canadian parliament in December 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks in the US. Two men, Yasim Abdi Mohamed and Ali Dirie, were already serving a two-year prison sentence for trying to smuggle a pair of handguns across the Peace Bridge a year earlier, for "personal protection" for themselves since they had worked as designer clothing re-sellers in seedy neighborhoods. They had their charges upgraded to "importing weapons for terrorist purposes" after it was revealed that their third handgun had been meant to repay Ahmad who had used his credit card to pay for their rental car. Suspects of the Toronto 18 Fahim Ahmad, 21, Toronto, born in Afghanistan and came to Canada at age 10; pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years. Denied parole on June 10, 2014. Denied statutory release on August 26, 2015. Sentence ended on January 24, 2018.https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/05/26/leader-of-toronto-18-terror-group-denied-early-release.html Leader of Toronto 18 terror group denied release - The Star thestar.com May 26, 2017 April 15, 2018 Zakaria Amara, 20, Mississauga, born in Jordan and came to Canada at age 12; pleaded guilty and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 10 years. Denied parole on June 2, 2016. Granted day parole in November 2022.https://nationalpost.com/news/toronto-18-boss-works-in-watch-shop-on-day-parole Former terrorist boss sells watches in Ontario while on parole | National Post Granted full parole in October 2026.https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ringleader-of-toronto-18-terror-plot-no-longer-shows-signs-of-extremism-granted-full-parole-board/ Ringleader of Toronto 18 terror plot no longer shows signs of extremism, granted full parole: board CTV News October 16, 2026 October 16, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20261017004312/https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ringleader-of-toronto-18-terror-plot-no-longer-shows-signs-of-extremism-granted-full-parole-board/ October 17, 2026 Shareef Abdelhaleem, 30, Mississauga, born in Egypt and came to Canada at age 10; convicted at trial and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 10 years. Granted day parole in January 2021. Granted full parole in June 2023.https://nationalpost.com/news/toronto-18-terrorist-granted-full-parole Toronto 18 terrorist who planned to bomb Ontario granted full parole | National Post Saad Khalid, 19, Mississauga, born in Saudi Arabia of Pakistani descent and came to Canada at age 9; pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. Denied parole on March 4, 2016. Statutory release was May 4, 2018.Shephard Michelle May 29, 2016 What happened to the Toronto 18 plotters? https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20160529/282295319449966 April 15, 2018 PressReader Saad Gaya, 18, Mississauga, born in Canada of Pakistani descent; pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years. Granted day parole on December 30, 2015. Statutory release was in January 2017.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/convicted-toronto-18-member-saad-gaya-gets-day-parole-extension-1.3741810 Convicted 'Toronto 18' member Saad Gaya gets day parole extension - CBC News cbc.ca April 15, 2018 Amin Durrani, 19, Toronto, born in Pakistan and came to Canada at age 12; pleaded guilty on January 20, 2010 and was sentenced to 7.5 years and released after being credited with time served for nearly 3 years and 8 months of pre-trial custody. Jahmaal James, 23, Toronto, born in Canada, family immigrated from the West Indies; pleaded guilty on February 26, 2010 and was sentenced to 7 years and 7 months and released after 1 day after being credited with 3 years and 9 months of pre-trial custody. Steven Chand, 25, Toronto, born in Canada, family immigrated from Fiji, a recent convert to Islam and a former Canadian soldier; convicted at trial and was sentenced to 10 years.http://www.metronews.ca/news_feature_detail.asp?id=16644 Metro Metronews.ca March 25, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110522144813/http://www.metronews.ca/news_feature_detail.asp?id=16644 May 22, 2011 Released on July 6, 2011. Ali Dirie, 22, Toronto, born in Somalia and came to Canada at age 7; pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 7 years. Released in October 2011 and left Canada in 2012 and reportedly died in 2013 fighting in the Syrian Civil War.https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/25/toronto_18_ali_mohamed_dirie_convicted_in_plot_dies_in_syria.html Toronto 18: Ali Mohamed Dirie, convicted in plot, dies in Syria - The Star thestar.com September 25, 2013 April 15, 2018 Asad Ansari, 21, Mississauga, born in Pakistan and moved to Saudi Arabia at 7 months old and came to Canada at age 12; convicted at trial and was sentenced on October 4, 2010 to 6 years and 5 months and released after 1 day after being credited with 3 years and 3 months of pre-trial custody. Qayyum Abdul Jamal, 43, Mississauga, born in Pakistan and came to Canada as an adult,https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060606.TERRORYOUTH06/TPStory/ globeandmail.com globeandmail.com March 25, 2010 an active member of the mosque who frequently led prayers; released after charges against him were stayed.https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/world/americas/05canada.html The New York Times Six of 17 Arrested in Canada's Antiterror Sweep Have Ties to Mosque Near Toronto Anthony DePalma June 5, 2006 April 22, 2010 Yasim Abdi Mohamed, 24, Toronto, born in Somalia and came to Canada at age 5; released after the charges against him were stayed. Ahmad Mustafa Ghany, 21, Mississauga, born in Canada, family immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago; released after the charges against him were stayed. Ibrahim Aboud, 19, Mississauga, born in Iraq and came to Canada in his mid-teens; released after the charges against him were stayed. The identities of the four minors were legally protected by Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act. One was convicted at trial and sentenced to 2.5 years; the publication ban on his name was lifted in September 2009, and he was identified as Nishanthan Yogakrishnan, a convert to Islam from Hinduism.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto-18-key-events-in-the-case-1.715266 Toronto 18: Key events in the case cbc.ca July 31, 2017 The other 3 minors were released after the charges against them were dismissed or stayed. Six of the 18 men arrested have ties to the Al Rahman Islamic Center near Toronto, a Sunni mosque. Another two of those arrested were already serving time in a Kingston, Ontario, prison on weapons possession charges.https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/world/americas/05canada.html?pagewanted=2 The New York Times Six of 17 Arrested in Canada's Antiterror Sweep Have Ties to Mosque Near Toronto Anthony DePalma June 5, 2006 April 22, 2010 According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) two other men, Syed Ahmed and Ehsanul Sadequee, who were arrested in Georgia in the United States on terrorism charges, are connected to the case as well. John Thompson, president of the Mackenzie Institute, a Toronto think tank, summarized the young suspects stating "These are kids at a transition, between Islamic society and Western society. A lot of people will get militarized if they're unsure of their own identity. They're just young and stupid. If you're 17, bored, restless, you want to meet girls – hey, be a radical." "The cops have a nickname for it – the jihad generation," says Thompson. Impact On the night following the arrests, the Rexdale mosque in Toronto was vandalized, as windows were smashed across the building as well as the cars in the parking lot.Thomas Vanessa Make Becker Buffalo News http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060605/1066828.asp A portrait of terrorist suspects June 5, 2006 July 10, 2021 December 6, 2012 https://archive.today/20121206000816/http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060605/1066828.asp dead Similar vandalism was reported at another mosque in Toronto.DePalma Anthony 2006-06-05 Six of 17 arrested in Canada's anti-terror sweep have ties to mosque near Toronto The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/world/americas/05canada.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 live 2023-07-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20160116061930/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/world/americas/05canada.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 2016-01-16 The arrests sparked several comments by politicians in the US regarding the security of Canada, including those of US Congressman Peter King, who on June6 was reported to have said that there is allegedly "a large al-Qaeda presence in Canada [...] because of their very liberal immigration laws [and] because of how political asylum is granted so easily".Koring Paul June 5, 2006 Canadian catch leads to American anxiety https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-catch-leads-to-american-anxiety/article18164816/ 2026-07-04 The Globe and Mail en-CA John Hostettler, American chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Border Security said the arrest illustrated that "South Toronto" served as an "enclave for radical discussion", where people held "a militant understanding of Islam". His comments were widely ridiculed by Canadians who pointed out that there is no area of Toronto known as "South Toronto" (the downtown core of the city sits on the north shore of Lake Ontario, placing "South Toronto" in the water), and that none of the suspects were even from the downtown core. Both Canada's Conservative government and the Liberal opposition condemned the "completely uninformed and ignorant remarks".Ljunggren, David. Reuters, "Canada slams "ignorant" US comments on security", June 9, 2006 Reporting controversy The initial reports of this incident caused some controversy when a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, Mike McDonell, described the arrested people as representing a "broad strata" of Canadian society,Bhattacharya, Surya Gulmhusein, Nasreen Aly, Heba Heba Aly (journalist) The ties that bind 17 suspects? Toronto Star June 4, 2006 and the Toronto Star claimed that it was "difficult to find a common denominator" among them, even though all were radical Muslims and many attended the same mosque. Some in the media, such as Andrew C. McCarthy in National Review, have described this as a tendency of the police and media to whitewash a role of militant Islam in contemporary terrorism.McCarthy, Andrew C. http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MmRjMThlNDA0YmNmZWU1NzM4MGQ0NmVkOTUwMzExZTA= https://web.archive.org/web/20060616004246/http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MmRjMThlNDA0YmNmZWU1NzM4MGQ0NmVkOTUwMzExZTA%3D June 16, 2006 The Elephant in the Room National Review Online New York June 5, 2006 dead The media coverage of the arrests was accused of bringing to light underlying racism in Canadian media, after a number of incidents including The Globe and Mail newspaper's use of the term "brown-skinned young men" in describing the men who had rented a storage unit.Robert Fisk Fisk, Robert The Independent London https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-how-racism-has-invaded-canada-481745.html https://web.archive.org/web/20081211115154/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-how-racism-has-invaded-canada-481745.html dead December 11, 2008 How racism has invaded Canada June 10, 2006 Imam Aly Hindy, who knew nine of the accused youths personally, said he had doubted any of them "did anything wrong", adding that "If some of them are guilty, I don't think it's terrorism. It may be criminal, but it's not terrorism." Court proceedings A preliminary hearing started June 4, 2007, for the remaining 14 terrorism suspects. It was halted by the Crown Attorney on September 24, 2007, so the case could proceed directly to trial. The move (called a "preferred indictment", or a "direct indictment") meant defense counsel could not hear the balance of the testimony of the Crown's key witness, police informant Mubin Shaikh, who was in the middle of testifying.Teotonio Isabel Homegrown terror case goes to trial Toronto Star September 24, 2007 https://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/260004 September 24, 2007 At the opening trial, against the sole remaining youth, prosecutors alleged that comments that referred to "shotgun on Blondie" were actually a pretext to sexually assault non-Muslims.Walkom, Thomas Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/comment/article/640862 Canada's terrorist shoplifter May 27, 2009 Syed Haris Ahmed was convicted in June 2009 of conspiring to support terrorism, and Ehsanul Islam Sadequee was convicted of plotting to support "violent jihad" in August 2009. The two men were alleged to have met with members of the Toronto 18 in Canada in 2005.Bluestein Greg Associated Press https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/680508 Man tied to 'Toronto 18' guilty in U.S. terror case Toronto Star August 13, 2009 August 26, 2015 In September 2008 Nishanthan Yogakrishnan, who was a minor when charged, was convicted of knowingly participating in the plot. https://www.thestar.com/GTA/Crime/article/620219 Youth terror convict to be sentenced as adultCrown seeks three-year term plus probation, but court must rule on credit for time served Toronto Star April 17, 2009 March 25, 2010 Isabel Teotonio In May 2009, he was sentenced to two and a half years, and received credit for time served. https://www.thestar.com/gta/crime/article/693523 Publication ban lifted in Toronto 18 case Toronto Star September 10, 2009 March 25, 2010 Isabel Teotonio Ontario Superior Court Judge John Sproat ruled there was "overwhelming" evidence that a terrorist conspiracy existed. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/20-year-old-convicted-in-toronto-terror-plot-1.741483 20-year-old convicted in Toronto terror plot CBC News September 25, 2008 August 25, 2015 He was the first person to be found guilty under Canada's 2001 Anti-Terrorism Act, passed following the September 11, 2001 attacks. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/638866 Man in terror trial sentenced to 2.5 years Toronto Star May 22, 2009 March 25, 2010 Isabel Teotonio Saad Khalid pleaded guilty in May 2009 to aiding a plot to set off bombs at the Toronto Stock Exchange, the CSIS Toronto headquarters, and a military base between Toronto and Ottawa.May 6, 2009 Man pleads guilty in ‘Toronto 18’ case https://www.thespec.com/news/canada/man-pleads-guilty-in-toronto-18-case/article_54bdc6d9-6edb-5979-9da8-3c7e5c79a6c7.html 2026-07-04 The Hamilton Spectator en 1189-9417 https://globalnews.ca/news/18338/toronto-18-member-to-be-sentenced-for-terror-plot/ Toronto 18 member to be sentenced for terror plot September 3, 2009 November 17, 2009 Kelowna.com Kelowna, BC He was sentenced to 14 years in prison. http://ca.reuters.com/article/idCATRE5826CP20090903 https://web.archive.org/web/20111003000038/http://ca.reuters.com/article/idCATRE5826CP20090903 dead October 3, 2011 Toronto 18 man gets 14 years for planned attacks Reuters September 3, 2009 March 25, 2010 In September 2009 Ali Mohamed Dirie admitted to being a member of a terrorist group. On a police wiretap, he called white people the "number 1 filthiest people on the face of the planet. They don't have Islam. They're the most filthiest people." He added: "In Islam there is no racism, we only hate kufar (non-Muslims)."http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=38d02f2f-5cee-49d6-9acb-5712c51224da Man admits to plotting attack The Windsor Star Stewart Bell Canwest News Service September 24, 2009 April 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130929091855/http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=38d02f2f-5cee-49d6-9acb-5712c51224da September 29, 2013 dead mdy-all The Crown and defence agreed on a seven-year sentence.Bell Stewart https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Somali+immigrant+admits+terror+role/2024806/story.html Toronto terror participant hated non-Muslims, court told Ottawa Citizen September 23, 2009 March 25, 2010July 2011 In September 2013, it was reported Dirie had been killed fighting with rebels in the Syrian war. He had left Canada using someone else's passport.Toronto 18 terrorist reportedly killed in Syrian war The Globe and Mail Colin Freeze Toronto September 25, 2013 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto-18-terrorist-reportedly-killed-in-syrian-war/article14538124/ Also in September 2009, al-Qaeda supporter Aabid Hussein Khan was sentenced to 14 years for his role in the bomb plot. https://nationalpost.com/m/story.html?id=1960268&s=Home&p=3 International links linger after 'Toronto 18' member imprisoned National Post Toronto September 3, 2009 March 25, 2010October 2025 medicmedic In October 2009, Zakaria Amara, described by prosecutors as the leader of the group, pleaded guilty to charges of participating in the activities of a terrorist group, bomb charges, and planning explosions likely to cause serious bodily harm or death.http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE59752C20091008 https://web.archive.org/web/20091010214003/http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE59752C20091008 dead October 10, 2009 Alleged 'Toronto 18' leader pleads guilty Reuters October 8, 2009 March 25, 2010 In May 2010, Fahim Ahmad, described as a leader of the group, reversed his plea mid-trial and pleaded guilty. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/807202--toronto-18-ringleader-pleads-guilty-in-terror-trial?bn=1 Teotonio, Isabel Toronto 18 ringleader pleads guilty in terror trial Toronto Star May 10, 2010 May 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100513013153/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/807202--toronto-18-ringleader-pleads-guilty-in-terror-trial?bn=1 May 13, 2010 live Asad Ansari Asad Ansari Asad Ansari was 21 years old when arrested in June 2006, in Toronto. He spent 3 years and 3 months in pre-trial detention, of which 15 months straight were spent in solitary confinement. After bail was initially denied on 3 August 2009, Ansari was granted bail on 28 August.Teotonio Isabel 29 Aug 2009 Bail for terror suspect comes with constraints https://www.thestar.com/article/688225 Toronto Star 7 Sep 2014 After more than three years awaiting trial behind bars, homegrown terror suspect Asad Ansari was granted bail yesterday in a Brampton court. He was tried simultaneously with Steven Vikash Chand and Fahim Ahmad in Brampton until Ahmad pleaded guilty. The court heard that Ansari had attended a winter training camp in Washago, Ontario, in December 2005. Ansari and Chand were the only members of the 18 tried by jury rather than by a lone judge. On 23 June 2010, Ansari and Chand were both found guilty of knowingly participating in a terrorist group. 4 June 2008 Toronto 18: Key events in the case http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto-18-key-events-in-the-case-1.715266 CBC News Toronto, ON 7 Sep 2014 June 23, 2010: The last two defendants — Chand and Asad Ansari, 25 — are found guilty of participating in a terrorist group. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. A date for their sentencing has not yet been set. On 3 October 2010, Asad was sentenced to 6 years and 5 months, but was released and placed on probation largely due to time served.O'Toole Megan 4 Oct 2010 Toronto 18's Asad Ansari sentenced to 6 years and 5 months …goes free https://nationalpost.com/posted-toronto/toronto-18s-asad-ansari-sentenced-to-6-5-years-goes-free National Post Toronto, ON 7 Sep 2014 A Superior Court judge has meted out the lightest sentence to date among the adults convicted in the Toronto 18 terrorism plot. Asad Ansari, 25, became a free man yesterday after receiving six years and five months — the equivalent of time served — for his participation in the group, which plotted devastating attacks in Toronto and Ottawa. The offence carries a maximum jail term of 10 years. "While Mr. Ansari's involvement in the offence was serious, it is not at the most serious end of the scale," Justice Fletcher Dawson asserted in his 12-page ruling. No entrapment Defence counsel argued that police mole Shaikh was in effect entrapping one of the men through his actions as an instructor at a training camp he had infiltrated on behalf of the RCMP. Superior Court Justice John Sproat ruled in March 2009 that there was no entrapment, noting that the camp would have proceeded as planned without Shaikh's participation, and the training and indoctrination provided would have been similar. https://www.thestar.com/article/607827 No entrapment, judge rules in terrorism case Toronto Star March 25, 2009 August 25, 2015 Isabel Teotonio The judge held further: "The evidence is overwhelming that (the youth) would have committed the offence if he had never come into contact with Shaikh."Perkel, Colin The Canadian Press https://web.archive.org/web/20110716102456/http://www.canadaeast.com/news/article/613516 July 16, 2011 http://www.canadaeast.com/news/article/613516 RCMP mole vindicated after judge finds no entrapment in terror case Canada East Moncton, New Brunswick March 24, 2009 The roles of two Agents were made public amid defence allegations they "perhaps provoked" the youths to make militant statements.Austen Ian September 25, 2008 At Canada Terror Trial, the Accused Take on a Less Sinister Cast https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/world/americas/25canada.html 2026-07-04 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Shaikh had been paid $292,000 http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jun13/0,4670,CanadaTerrorTrial,00.html Informant in Canada terror trial paid thousands Fox News June 13, 2008 March 25, 2010 to "knowingly facilitate a terrorist activity" and asked to act as "moles" in the group, leading to accusationsAugust 2014 that they had "urged them to act, then sat back and counted [their] cash while the others went to jail".Toronto Maclean's http://www.macleans.ca/canada/features/article.jsp?content=20070910_109132_109132 The Mounties' man in the Toronto terror bust admits a cocaine habit September 10, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070911103912/http://www.macleans.ca/canada/features/article.jsp?content=20070910_109132_109132 September 11, 2007 mdy Friscolanti, Michael Maclean's Toronto http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20070212_140696_140696 The four-million dollar rat February 7, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120222042516/http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20070212_140696_140696 February 22, 2012 The Toronto Star reported that a well-known member of Toronto's Islamic community had infiltrated the alleged terrorist cell while on the police payroll as an informant, and that another mole had been involved in setting up the purchase of phony ammonium nitrate. http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/toronto-bomb-plot/shaikh-interview.html July 15, 2006 Transcript: Mubin Shaikh interview CBC News March 25, 2010 Elsohemy, the second mole in the case, was placed in witness protection after he agreed to help the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrange the phony ammonium nitrate purchase on behalf of the youths, which led to the allegations of a bomb plot.CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/2nd-mole-played-key-role-in-bomb-plot-probe-1.580073 2nd Agent played key role in bomb plot probe October 13, 2006El Akad, Omar The Globe and Mail Toronto https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/online-leaks-get-around-publication-ban/article687150/ Online leaks get around publication ban June 2, 2007 A third man, Qari Kafayatullah, was an Afghan immigrant who frequently told the youths that he had knowledge of explosives, and convinced their parents to let them attend the upcoming December camp – promising that it was just a bit of fun for the young men, and that he would be the responsible adult present – even though there was never any indication he later attended. Freeze, Colin The Globe and Mail Toronto https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070116.wxinformant16/BNStory/National/home Was imam another informant in Toronto terror plot? January 16, 2007 2007-01-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20070118103259/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070116.wxinformant16/BNStory/National/home In October 2009, a man described by prosecutors as the leader of the group, pleaded guilty to bomb charges, the fifth member of the so-called "Toronto 18" group to have admitted guilt or to have been found guilty. Zakaria Amara, 23, from Mississauga, pleaded guilty in a Brampton, Ontario, court to charges of participating in the activities of a terrorist group and planning explosions likely to cause serious bodily harm or death. In January 2010, Amara was sentenced to life imprisonment. The sentence was the stiffest given so far under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Saad Gaya from Oakville, Ontario was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison for the Toronto 18 terrorism case in 2006. He was held at the Maplehurst Correctional Centre in Milton, Ontario. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/752507--life-term-for-terror-ringleader Life term for terror ringleader – Man planned to detonate three bombs at 9 a.m., when Toronto's downtown core would be bustling Toronto Star January 19, 2010 March 25, 2010 Isabel TeotonioRosella Louie Appeal court raises sentence for convicted Oakville terrorist http://www.insidehalton.com/news/news/article/918946 Inside Halton August 6, 2011 December 17, 2010 Released in 2020, he was given the green light in 2022 to become a practicing lawyer.Humphreys Adrian Reformed Toronto 18 terror plotter given green light to become a licensed lawyer https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/reformed-toronto-18-terror-plotter-given-green-light-to-become-a-licensed-lawyer National Post Criticisms The Canadian Coalition for Peace and Justice (CCPJ) filed submission on behalf of some of the arrested with the United Nations Human Rights Council, Fourth Universal Periodic Review Canada (2008). Lawyer for the CCPJ, Faisal Kutty, alleged on behalf of the CCPJ that Canada was in breach of its international commitments pursuant to various provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners adopted by the First United Nations Congress in 1955; and the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990. He called on the Human Rights Council to investigate these allegations.http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session4/CA/CCPJ_CAN_UPR_S4_2009_CanadianCoalitionforPeaceandJustice.pdf Submission of Canadian Coalition for Peace and Justice to the United Nations Human Rights Council Fourth Universal Periodic Review Canada (2008) ohchr.org April 15, 2018 September 29, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180929054129/https://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session4/CA/CCPJ_CAN_UPR_S4_2009_CanadianCoalitionforPeaceandJustice.pdf dead See also Ontario 2014 shootings at Parliament Hill, Ottawa Buffalo Six References 2 http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/toronto-18-member-ali-mohamed-dirie-reportedly-died-in-syria-1.1868119 'Toronto 18' member Ali Mohamed Dirie reportedly died in Syria: Ali Mohamed Dirie died in Syria after 2011 prison release, informant tells CBC CBC News 2013-09-25 September 27, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130927083705/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/toronto-18-member-ali-mohamed-dirie-reportedly-died-in-syria-1.1868119 dead A convicted member of the "Toronto 18" who plotted with al-Qaeda-inspired militants to attack Canadian institutions in 2006 has died while fighting in Syria, according to multiple sources in close contact with family and friends. mdy-all http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060605/terror_suspects_060605/20060605 https://web.archive.org/web/20060612212155/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060605/terror_suspects_060605/20060605/ dead 2006-06-12 Sketches of the Ontario-based terror suspects CTV News 2006-06-05 2013-09-26 Details are starting to emerge about the lives of the suspected Islamic terrorists who were taken into custody in a series of southern Ontario raids. http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20080423_5562_5562 The Terrorist who Wasn't Macleans magazine Friscolanti, Michael 2008-05-05 September 26, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130926095018/http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=20080423_5562_5562 dead But that was before April 14, when Crown attorneys decided that four more of Canada's homegrown terror suspects weren't worth the effort. Along with Mohamed, all charges were stayed against Ibrahim Aboud, Ahmad Ghany and Abdul Qayyum Jamal. Add the three teenagers whose files were already abandoned, and the "Toronto 18" has suddenly shrunk to the "Toronto 11." mdy-all Michael Friscolanti https://nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2e8f5170-6f5d-451a-857f-938d3b93d532 After escaping war in Somalia, terror suspects grew up in Toronto National Post Stewart Bell 2006-06-05 2013-09-26 mdy October 2025 medicmedic http://austin.ynn.com/content/news/163408/canada-arrests-17-allegedly--inspired-by-al-qaida- Canada arrests 17 allegedly 'inspired by al-Qaida' Austin News 2006-06-03 2013-09-27 September 27, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130927043558/http://austin.ynn.com/content/news/163408/canada-arrests-17-allegedly--inspired-by-al-qaida- dead External links Canadian Terror: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on the Toronto 18 Terrorism Trials, special issue of the Manitoba Law Journal (2021) Category:2006 in Ontario Category:Anwar al-Awlaki Category:Failed terrorist attempts in Canada Category:Islamic terrorism in Canada Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2006 Category:Terrorist incidents in North America in 2006 Category:Trials in Canada Category:Terrorist incidents in Canada in the 2000s Category:2006 crimes in Canada