Tuesday, May 18, 2010

ASAD ANSARI DID NOT KNOW ABOUT TORONTO 18 PLOT SAYS DEFENCE

*** Like I said, 'no comment'. Yet. MS ***

FROM: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/05/18/asad-ansari-did-not-know-about-toronto-18s-alleged-plot-defence/

One of the remaining two accused in the “Toronto 18″ terrorism prosecution was in the dark about the alleged plot when he he took part in a winter training camp, a Superior Court jury heard today.

Ringleader Fahim Ahmad, who pleaded guilty last week, shared his terrorist ambitions with a select group, defence lawyer John Norris said, but Asad Ansari “was not among the trusted few.”

When he took part in the training camp in Washago, Ont., in December 2005, Mr. Ansari understood it simply to be a winter camping trip, the court heard. The group practiced paintball and shot guns; at one point, Ahmad delivered his now infamous “fall of Rome” speech, in which he called for the defeat of western society.

Mr. Norris, however, contends his client was not present for that speech.

“At no time was he aware of Mr. Ahmad’s terrorist plans or activities,” Mr. Norris told the jury.

Mr. Ansari, 25, and Steven Chand, 29, are the remaining two to be tried in the Toronto 18 case, and the first to be tried before a jury. The defence case continues this afternoon