Young offenders in 2006 Toronto terrorism case
Encyclopedia
Among the 18 arrests during the 2006 Toronto terrorism case
were five youths whose names could not be published because of the provisions of Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act
. One of them had the charges against him dropped nine months after his arrest and two others have been released on bail.
Two of the youths were former Hindu
s, who converted to Islam
, similar to older suspect Steven Vikash Chand
who also used to be Hindu.
He had moved to Canada with his family from Sri Lanka in 1994.
Following the camping trip in Orillia, friends had suggested he should cut off the Prime Minister's head since he had enjoyed chopping wood so much. Described by Shaikh as "a few fries short of a happy meal
", the youth had suggested that the group convert the Aboriginal peoples in Canada
to Islam, and then offer them control of Quebec City
and Montreal
in exchange for killing Quebeckers.
At the trial, RCMP mole Mubin Shaikh
was accused of "confecting evidence" in order to protect the youth by the crown prosecutor
who made the rare move of labeling his own witness as hostile
. The youth was accused of shoplifting
camping gear from a Canadian Tire
, and removing a spy-camera that had been placed outside the ringleader's apartment door by the police.
He was sentenced to 2 1\2 years which was already served
, and released in May 2009 although a DNA
sample was taken and he was given 2 years probation
and a 10-year prohibition against owning weapons. The publication ban
was lifted after his guilt was determined.
, Gaya was recruited three months before the arrests and caught with Khalid unloading the ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the time of his arrest.
Gaya was underage at the time of his arrest and plead guilty in September 2009 at the age of 21. The court determined that his primary motivation was to convince Canada to pull its soldiers out of Afghanistan as he wanted to protect Muslim nations. Gaya had been selected to drive one of the suicide trucks but maintains that he was not aware of that part of the plan and did not believe anyone would die in the attacks.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison on January 18, 2010. Gaya is being held at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex
in Milton, Ontario
.
The crown has appealed the sentence hoping for an increase to 17–18 years in prison instead of 12.
Gaya's Bail Hearing decision, which contains many facts of the case as well as Gaya's admitted involvement, can be viewed at: http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2008/2008canlii24539/2008canlii24539.html
in Toronto. He had converted to Islam
from Hinduism
several years earlier, upsetting his mother. He is said to have hung out with 19-year-old Amin Mohamed Durrani
. His math textbook was taken by police as evidence.
Sharing a room with his older brother, he was an avid soccer player, and hoped to grow up to become a veterinarian
. He was often mentioning wanting a pet dog. He faked a school outing, as an excuse to attend a survival camp with another of the young offenders. He told his mother that he had nightmares and fears about deserting Islam, concerned that he would go to hell.
Represented by attorney Michael Block, he was denied bail on June 27, 2006, but was granted bail for C$
15,000 on July 16, 2006 in another hearing, and was released to his parents.
All charges against him were dropped on February 23, 2007.
. He was denied bail on June 27, 2007.
was arrested at London Heathrow Airport
as he arrived from a flight from Islamabad as PIA
Flight 785 from Pakistan International Airlines
.
In August 2008, in London
, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to incite an act of terrorism. American citizens who are involved in the case are Syed Haris Ahmed and Sadequee were convicted in Atlanta, Georgia
and are facing a maximum 15 year sentence on terrorism and conspiracy charges.
, three were released on bail
in July 2006. Three youths, it is unclear if they are the same three, had all charges stayed
by September 2007.
2006 Toronto terrorism case
The 2006 Ontario terrorism case refers to 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 18 people found to be Al-Qaeda members of an Islamic...
were five youths whose names could not be published because of the provisions of Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act
Youth Criminal Justice Act
Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act is a Canadian statute, which came into effect on April 1, 2003. It covers the prosecution of youths for criminal offences...
. One of them had the charges against him dropped nine months after his arrest and two others have been released on bail.
Two of the youths were former Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s, who converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, similar to older suspect Steven Vikash Chand
Steven Vikash Chand
Steven Vikash Chand is one of 17 people arrested in the 2006 Toronto terrorism arrests. He and his conspirators are alleged to have plotted coordinated bombing attacks against targets in southern Ontario.-Life:...
who also used to be Hindu.
Nishanthan Yogakrishnan
Represented by lawyers Mitchell Chernovsky and Faisal Mirza, the sole youth whose case went to trial was found guilty of conspiracy.He had moved to Canada with his family from Sri Lanka in 1994.
Following the camping trip in Orillia, friends had suggested he should cut off the Prime Minister's head since he had enjoyed chopping wood so much. Described by Shaikh as "a few fries short of a happy meal
Happy Meal
A "Happy Meal" is a meal specifically marketed at children, sold at the fast-food chain McDonald's since June 1979. A toy is typically included with the food, both of which are usually contained in a small box or paper bag with the McDonald's logo....
", the youth had suggested that the group convert the Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
to Islam, and then offer them control of Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in exchange for killing Quebeckers.
At the trial, RCMP mole Mubin Shaikh
Mubin Shaikh
Mubin Shaikh was one of two informants for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in the 2006 Toronto Terrorism case, and moved on to become a paid Royal Canadian Mounted Police agent...
was accused of "confecting evidence" in order to protect the youth by the crown prosecutor
Crown Prosecutor
Crown Prosecutors are the public prosecutors in the legal system of Australia.Crown Prosecutors represent the Crown in right of the Commonwealth and in right of each State or Territory in criminal proceedings. Crown Prosecutors are appointed not elected and not public servants; they are private...
who made the rare move of labeling his own witness as hostile
Hostile witness
A hostile witness is a witness in a trial who testifies for the opposing party or a witness who offers adverse testimony to the calling party during direct examination.A witness called by the opposing party is presumed hostile...
. The youth was accused of shoplifting
Shoplifting
Shoplifting is theft of goods from a retail establishment. It is one of the most common property crimes dealt with by police and courts....
camping gear from a Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is one of Canada's 60 largest publicly traded companies. The firm operates an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retailing hardgoods, apparel and petroleum as well as financial and automotive services, employing more than 58,000 people across Canada...
, and removing a spy-camera that had been placed outside the ringleader's apartment door by the police.
He was sentenced to 2 1\2 years which was already served
Time served
In criminal law, "time served" describes a sentence where the defendant is credited immediately after the guilty verdict with the time spent in remand awaiting trial. The time is usually subtracted from the sentence, with only the balance being served after the verdict...
, and released in May 2009 although a DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
sample was taken and he was given 2 years probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
and a 10-year prohibition against owning weapons. The publication ban
Publication ban
A publication ban is a court order which prohibits the public or media from disseminating certain details of an otherwise public judicial procedure. In Canada, publication bans are most commonly issued when the safety or reputation of a victim or witness may be hindered by having their identity...
was lifted after his guilt was determined.
Saad Gaya
Saad Gaya (born November 17, 1987) was a first generation Canadian of Pakistani descent. A friend of Saad KhalidSaad Khalid
A 19-year old University of Toronto student, Saad Khalid was one of 17 people detained and arrested on June 2 and June 3, 2006, in the Greater Toronto Area in the 2006 Toronto terrorism arrests....
, Gaya was recruited three months before the arrests and caught with Khalid unloading the ammonium nitrate in a warehouse at the time of his arrest.
Gaya was underage at the time of his arrest and plead guilty in September 2009 at the age of 21. The court determined that his primary motivation was to convince Canada to pull its soldiers out of Afghanistan as he wanted to protect Muslim nations. Gaya had been selected to drive one of the suicide trucks but maintains that he was not aware of that part of the plan and did not believe anyone would die in the attacks.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison on January 18, 2010. Gaya is being held at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex
Maplehurst Correctional Complex
Maplehurst Correctional Complex is a correctional facility located in Milton, Ontario for males 18 years of age and older...
in Milton, Ontario
Milton, Ontario
Milton is a town in Southern Ontario, Canada, and part of the Halton Region in the Greater Toronto Area. Milton received a tremendous amount of awareness following the release of the results of the 2006 Census, which indicated that Milton is the fastest growing municipality in the Greater Golden...
.
The crown has appealed the sentence hoping for an increase to 17–18 years in prison instead of 12.
Gaya's Bail Hearing decision, which contains many facts of the case as well as Gaya's admitted involvement, can be viewed at: http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2008/2008canlii24539/2008canlii24539.html
John Doe #1
John Doe #1, who was 15 years old at the time of the arrest, was a Grade 10 student at Stephen Leacock Collegiate InstituteStephen Leacock Collegiate Institute
Stephen Leacock is a public high school in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada....
in Toronto. He had converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
from Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
several years earlier, upsetting his mother. He is said to have hung out with 19-year-old Amin Mohamed Durrani
Amin Mohamed Durrani
Amin Mohamed Durrani is one of 17 people detained on June 2 and June 3, 2006, in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the 2006 Toronto terrorism arrests...
. His math textbook was taken by police as evidence.
Sharing a room with his older brother, he was an avid soccer player, and hoped to grow up to become a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
. He was often mentioning wanting a pet dog. He faked a school outing, as an excuse to attend a survival camp with another of the young offenders. He told his mother that he had nightmares and fears about deserting Islam, concerned that he would go to hell.
Represented by attorney Michael Block, he was denied bail on June 27, 2006, but was granted bail for C$
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
15,000 on July 16, 2006 in another hearing, and was released to his parents.
All charges against him were dropped on February 23, 2007.
John Doe #2
John Doe #2, who was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, was a Grade 12 student at Stephen Leacock Collegiate in Toronto. He had recently converted to Islam from Hinduism, which resulted in fights with his parents, and his alleged prayer in secret. He is said to have hung out with 19-year-old Amin Mohamed DurraniAmin Mohamed Durrani
Amin Mohamed Durrani is one of 17 people detained on June 2 and June 3, 2006, in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the 2006 Toronto terrorism arrests...
. He was denied bail on June 27, 2007.
Aabid Khan
Four days after the Toronto 18 youth suspects were arrested and handcuffed, Aabid KhanAabid Khan
Aabid Khan is a British youth from Bradford, UK who was convicted in August 2008 of being a "terrorist propagandist".-Life:Khan worked at the At Tibyan website, run by Younes Tsouli...
was arrested at London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
as he arrived from a flight from Islamabad as PIA
Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation commonly known as PIA, is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan. The airline has its head office on the grounds of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. and operates scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27...
Flight 785 from Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation commonly known as PIA, is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan. The airline has its head office on the grounds of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. and operates scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27...
.
In August 2008, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to incite an act of terrorism. American citizens who are involved in the case are Syed Haris Ahmed and Sadequee were convicted in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and are facing a maximum 15 year sentence on terrorism and conspiracy charges.
Other information
All five youths were held at the Maplehurst Correctional Centre in Milton, OntarioMilton, Ontario
Milton is a town in Southern Ontario, Canada, and part of the Halton Region in the Greater Toronto Area. Milton received a tremendous amount of awareness following the release of the results of the 2006 Census, which indicated that Milton is the fastest growing municipality in the Greater Golden...
, three were released on bail
Bail
Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail...
in July 2006. Three youths, it is unclear if they are the same three, had all charges stayed
Stay of proceedings
A stay of proceedings is a ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure, halting further legal process in a trial. The court can subsequently lift the stay and resume proceedings. However, a stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely.-United Kingdom:In United...
by September 2007.