Close X
Monday, October 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Sentencing Hearing Continues In Via Rail Terror Case In Toronto

The Canadian Press, 14 Jul, 2015 12:08 PM
    TORONTO — A sentencing hearing continues today for two men convicted of terrorism in a case involving a plot to derail a passenger train travelling between Canada and the U.S.
     
    Raed Jaser and his co-accused, Chiheb Esseghaier, were found guilty in March of a terror-related conspiracy to commit murder, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison.
     
    A 12-member jury also found the men guilty of six other terror-related charges between them.
     
    On Monday, a psychologist who conducted an assessment of Jaser described him as a desperate drug addict who conned people to get high.
     
    Dr. Jess Ghannam concluded Jaser did not have consistent radical Islamic ideology, but adopted a persona as a pious Muslim to trick members of that community.
     
    A Crown attorney has challenged Ghannam's objectivity in the case, accusing him of jumping to conclusions about Jaser's drug addiction.
     
    During Jaser and Esseghaier's trial, court heard that an undercover FBI agent gained the men's trust and surreptitiously recorded their conversations, which made up the bulk of the evidence in the case.
     
    The two were recorded speaking about alleged terror plots they would conduct in retaliation for Canada's military actions in Muslim countries.
     
    In one of the recordings, Jaser was heard saying "everyone is a target" and that he wanted "the whole country to burn."
     
    Esseghaier, who is a Tunisian national, refused to participate in his trial because he wanted to be judged under the rules of the Qur'an.
     
    Jaser's defence lawyer argued his client was only faking interest in a terror plot as part of an elaborate con to extract money from Esseghaier and the undercover agent.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Richmond Man Admits Smuggling Rhino Horns, Elephant Ivory Into Canada

    Richmond Man Admits Smuggling Rhino Horns, Elephant Ivory Into Canada
    VANCOUVER — A Vancouver-area antiques dealer has pleaded guilty in an American court to attempting to import endangered rhinoceros horns into Canada in a smuggling operation that also saw carved elephant tusks and other items illegally transported across the border.

    Richmond Man Admits Smuggling Rhino Horns, Elephant Ivory Into Canada

    Former Top BC Bureaucrat Won't Participate In Health Firings Review

    Former Top BC Bureaucrat Won't Participate In Health Firings Review
    VICTORIA — A former top Liberal government bureaucrat involved in the firings of eight health researchers two years ago says he won't take part in a review of the dismissals because it's not an independent probe.

    Former Top BC Bureaucrat Won't Participate In Health Firings Review

    Amrik Virk Says His Future As A Minister In Cabinet Is Christy Clark's Decision

    Amrik Virk Says His Future As A Minister In Cabinet Is Christy Clark's Decision
    VICTORIA — Finance Minister Mike de Jong says he supports Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk despite ordering a renewed investigation of new documents connected to the former Mountie.

    Amrik Virk Says His Future As A Minister In Cabinet Is Christy Clark's Decision

    Reitmans Shutting Down Smart Set Stores, Refocus On Its Other Brands

    Reitmans Shutting Down Smart Set Stores, Refocus On Its Other Brands
    MONTREAL — Shoppers will be losing another Canadian retail option after Reitmans announced Tuesday it is closing all of its Smart Set clothing stores.

    Reitmans Shutting Down Smart Set Stores, Refocus On Its Other Brands

    Quebec-based Simons To Open New Stores In BC, Alberta And Ontario Into 2017

    Quebec-based Simons To Open New Stores In BC, Alberta And Ontario Into 2017
    TORONTO — After 175 years, Quebec-based Simons is primed to make a major expansion push beyond the province with stores in five new cities across Canada.

    Quebec-based Simons To Open New Stores In BC, Alberta And Ontario Into 2017

    Ghomeshi reaches agreement with CBC, withdraws lawsuit against broadcaster

    Ghomeshi reaches agreement with CBC, withdraws lawsuit against broadcaster
    TORONTO — Scandal-plagued former radio host Jian Ghomeshi has reached an agreement with the CBC to withdraw his $55-million lawsuit against the public broadcaster, a CBC spokesman said on Tuesday.

    Ghomeshi reaches agreement with CBC, withdraws lawsuit against broadcaster