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Video calls for defeat of 'Rome' in Canadian terror case
A speech glorifying acts of violence in the name of Allah given at an alleged terrorist training camp in Ontario encouraged a group of Toronto men to attack the West by decreeing that the "new Rome" must fall, according to evidence revealed yesterday in a Crown factum. "Rome has to be defeated. And we will be the ones that do it," reads a transcript of a call to arms given to more than a dozen recruits gathering inside a tent north of Toronto, according to trial evidence revealed yesterday.
The accused was rounded up with 17 others on June 2, 2006, and alleged to be part of the "homegrown" conspiracy that's become known as the case of the Toronto 18. At the time, a defence lawyer's quip - that his client stood accused of plotting to storm Parliament and behead the Prime Minister - garnered many headlines. But while one or more suspects were apparently caught on tape musing about the possibility of such an attack, there's never been any indication this was an actual plot. Charged with attending a terrorist-training camp in a wooded area north of Toronto, the accused was under 18 at the time of arrest. His identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Mr. Justice John Sproat of the Ontario Superior Court further shrouded details of the case yesterday, banning publication of any evidence that might identify 14 adult accused whose trials remain months or years away. They also stand accused of involvement in terrorist training. As well, half of the adults are accused of plotting multiple bombings against government targets, in an alleged bid to get soldiers of the Canadian Forces out of Afghanistan. Other evidence revealed yesterday involved conversations touching on detonators and bomb materials. But Judge Sproat asked that many of these details be placed under a publication ban, given that the young offender is not accused of that end of the conspiracy. (Charges against three other young offenders were dropped months ago.) Two Crown witnesses briefly attended proceedings yesterday. The star informant, Mubin Shaikh - outspoken about how he was a paid infiltrator who led military training at the camp - was told to be prepared to testify in late May. A new witness, a participant of a follow-up camp, has also agreed to testify for the Crown. Prosecutors will have to prove recruits were indeed learning terrorism, which makes the call-to-arms videotape transcript very significant. "We're going to kick it off man. We're here to get the rewards of everybody that's come after us," the speaker said. "God willing if we don't get a victory, God willing our kids will get it. If not them, then five generations down somebody will get it ..." He told the group their hearts must stay with the training camp, even when they returned to their jobs, families and schools. "You go back, you're living with society and you have to put on that face, you know, that we're a bunch of peace lovers," he said. The transcript indicates there was laughter in the tent. He continued: "So although our bodies will be with the non-believers roaming around going to work, trying to get money, sucking up to your boss and this and that ... [But] our mission is greater. Whether we get arrested, whether we get killed, whether we get tortured, our mission is greater than just individuals." Then, describing North America as a fortress designed to keep out Muslims, he pointed out that his group was already inside. "Here we are. We entered your lands, we already started striking cause you know what, this training is striking at them!" More transcripts at link. Posted by: ryuge 2008-03-26 |
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