Tuesday, September 28, 2010

BAIL GRANTED TO OTTAWA TERROR SUSPECT

Andrew Seymour, Postmedia News · Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010

OTTAWA — The first of three Canadian men accused in connection with an alleged homegrown terrorist plot has been granted bail.

The reasons for Justice of the Peace Louisette Girault’s decision to release Misbahuddin Ahmed, on what are expected to be several strict conditions, are covered by a routine publication ban.

The 26-year-old X-ray technologist showed no emotion except to slightly nod his head when Girault granted him bail. Ahmed, seated between two RCMP tactical officers, kept his arms crossed while staring intently at Girault during the roughly 30-minute hearing.

The conditions he will have to follow were to be determined later Tuesday.

Girault’s decision followed a day and a half of evidence and arguments at a bail hearing that began Sept. 15.

The decision to release Ahmed comes one day before a bail hearing for another of the terror accused, Khurram Syed Sher. The 28-year-old London, Ont. doctor’s bail hearing is expected to take three days.

A third man, the alleged ringleader Hiva Alizadeh, 30, is next scheduled to appear in court Thursday. He has yet to request a bail hearing.

The three men are accused of conspiring to facilitate “terrorist activity” between February 2008 and Aug. 24 this year. Alleged co-conspirators include at least three other people who have been named, but not indicted, plus other unknown people in Canada, Iran, Afghanistan, Dubai and Pakistan.

The alleged plot was in its early planning stages and “months” away from being operationally viable, the RCMP said shortly after the arrests.

Ahmed and Alizadeh are also facing charges related to possessing or making explosives to help a terrorist group. Alizadeh alone is charged with making available property or financing to benefit a terrorist group.

Ottawa Citizen


Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Bail+granted+Ottawa+charged+with+terrorism+offences/3591759/story.html#ixzz10qxIBc5e