| Submit your comments on this article |
| Great White North |
| Two men guilty in final Toronto 18 terror trial |
| 2010-06-24 |
| In a landmark decision, the last two members of the so-called Toronto 18 to face trial were convicted Wednesday, marking the first time a Canadian jury has ruled on a terrorism case and closing the final chapter on the homegrown cell. Asad Ansari, 25 and Steven Chand, 29, were found guilty of participating in a terrorist group. Chand was also found guilty of counselling to commit fraud. Both men were remanded until Thursday at which time Chand, who has been in custody for the past four years, could be released under a previous joint agreement for time already served. Ansari has been on bail throughout the jury deliberations. Chand's lawyer Michael Moon said he didn't want his client to have to spend any more time in jail than needed. “We're very disappointed and it's unfortunate we couldn't finalize the matter today,' Moon said outside the courthouse, adding if a pre-sentence report is ordered he intends to ask that his client be released on bail. In court, Superior Court Justice Fletcher Dawson said he wondered what the jury would think if he released accused after they deliberated for six days, saying the law provides for a sentence of life in prison. “I'm not going to sentence anybody on a terrorist case without submissions or an opportunity to reflect on this,' Dawson told Moon. Before releasing the jury, Dawson thanked them for their “difficult' tasks and reminded them their deliberations are to remain secret. “We're pleased with the result,' Crown prosecutor Croft Michaelson said outside the courthouse. “We were grateful there were 12 citizens who were very patient and attentive and came up with a just result.' As the verdict was delivered, Chand sat in prisoner's box, his head leaning on his right hand. Afterward, the Crown's star witness Mubin Shaikh, who infiltrated the group, said he was “disappointed' with the verdict. “I know Steven Chand better than anyone in that courtroom — and he is not a terrorist,' said Shaikh. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #1 "I know Steven Chand better than anyone in that courtroom -- and he is not a terrorist," said Shaikh. Let's see, w/ a prior military service and setting up a terrorist training camp, that makes Mr. Chand a terrorist trainer. He wouldn't have officially been a terrorist until the Canadian Parliament got blown up and the members beheaded on TV. |
| Posted by: ed 2010-06-24 12:48 |