Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ottawa Man's 12-year Sentence For Terror Offences 'Fit,' Appeal Court Rules

The Canadian Press, 27 Jan, 2017 01:01 PM
    TORONTO — A 12-year prison sentence handed to an Ottawa man for his role in a terrorist conspiracy was appropriate, Ontario's top court ruled Friday.
     
    In dismissing appeals by both prosecution and defence, the court found no reason to interfere with the punishment meted out to Misbahuddin Ahmed, who was convicted of two terror counts in July 2014.
     
    "The 12-year global sentence imposed on Mr. Ahmed for the two terrorism-related offences in respect of which he was convicted reveals no reversible error, is entitled to deference, and in all the circumstances was a fit sentence," the Appeal Court said.
     
    "Further, there is no reason to interfere with the trial judge's disposition concerning Mr. Ahmed's parole eligibility."
     
    Ahmed could have been jailed for 24 years for convictions of conspiracy to facilitate terrorist activity and participation in the activities of a terrorist group. Instead, Superior Court Justice Colin McKinnon gave him a total 12-year sentence.
     
    McKinnon also imposed normal parole-eligibility criteria rather than those reserved for terrorism offences that mandate a person serve at least one half the sentence or 10 years. The regular requirements mean he can apply for release after serving one-third of his sentence.
     
    In its appeal, the prosecution asked for a 20-year term and the longer period of parole ineligibility. Among other things, it maintained McKinnon was wrong in his assessment of the seriousness of the offence and Ahmed's actions.
     
    Ahmed, who was acquitted of the most serious charge — possession of explosives with intent to do harm, also appealed his punishment. He argued McKinnon had been too harsh and that a sentence of five to eight years would have been fit.
     
     
    In upholding the term handed down, the Ontario Court of Appeal cited a decision from the country's top court urging avoidance of the temptation to "fashion rigid sentencing principles applicable to terrorism offences as a distinct class."
     
    As such, the Appeal Court said, the only issue was whether McKinnon had made legal errors or imposed a "demonstrably unfit" sentence.
     
    In sentencing him, McKinnon found that Ahmed, who gave a heartfelt apology for his actions, had learned his lesson and was at low risk to reoffend or become involved in any further terrorist activity. Had terrorism not been involved, the judge said, he might have considered Ahmed a candidate for a conditional sentence.
     
    The married father of three young children, a first-time offender, was working as an imaging technician at a hospital in Ottawa when he was arrested as a 26-year-old in 2010 with a bag of bomb-making components.
     
    Also charged in the case were Hiva Alizadeh, who had been to a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, and Ahmed's close friend, Dr. Khurram Syed Sher, an anatomical pathologist in St. Thomas, Ont. Alizadeh pleaded guilty and was jailed for 24 years. Sher was acquitted.
     
    Evidence at trial was that Alizadeh wanted to form a terrorist group in Ottawa dedicated to violent jihad and to carrying out attacks in Canada. Ahmed knew Alizadeh's views and wanted to go to a training camp as well. He also gave Alizadeh money for foreign terrorists to buy grenades.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    WATCH: Justin Trudeau Wishing Tamilians A Happy Pongal In Tamil Is Super Adorable!

    WATCH: Justin Trudeau Wishing Tamilians A Happy Pongal In Tamil Is Super Adorable!
    The video has the Canadian PM wishing Tamilians a Happy Thai Pongal in Tamil, English and French.

    WATCH: Justin Trudeau Wishing Tamilians A Happy Pongal In Tamil Is Super Adorable!

    Abbotsford Supremacist Group Distributes Racist Pamphlets For U.S. King Jr. Holiday

    Abbotsford Supremacist Group Distributes Racist Pamphlets For U.S. King Jr. Holiday
    Police say the documents containing literature from the KKK were inside plastic bags and were thrown out from a vehicle early Sunday onto the front yards of more than 70 homes.

    Abbotsford Supremacist Group Distributes Racist Pamphlets For U.S. King Jr. Holiday

    Murder Trial To Begin For Alberta Man Charged After Couple, Grandson Disappear

    CALGARY — A murder trial is to begin today for a man charged with first-degree murder in the disappearance of an Alberta couple and their grandson.

    Murder Trial To Begin For Alberta Man Charged After Couple, Grandson Disappear

    St. Catharines, Ont., Family Finds Advil Pills In Ice Cream

    St. Catharines, Ont., Family Finds Advil Pills In Ice Cream
    ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — Niagara regional police are advising residents to be alert after discovering Advil capsules in a container of ice cream.

    St. Catharines, Ont., Family Finds Advil Pills In Ice Cream

    Women's Sex-harassment Suit Against RCMP Certified As Class Action

    Women's Sex-harassment Suit Against RCMP Certified As Class Action
    In certifying the class action, Judge Ann Marie McDonald said she was satisfied the women have shown they have reasonable grounds to press their lawsuit.

    Women's Sex-harassment Suit Against RCMP Certified As Class Action

    Ontario Girl Subject Of Amber Alert Found Safe, In Good Health

    Ontario Girl Subject Of Amber Alert Found Safe, In Good Health
      Police had described one of the suspects as a South Asian male about 24 years old, 6-feet-2 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing an orange coloured turban, grey sweater with cut off sleeves

    Ontario Girl Subject Of Amber Alert Found Safe, In Good Health