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| Great White North |
| Accused terrorist waged campaign online, RCMP says |
| 2008-02-01 |
| A Moroccan-born Quebec resident is being described as a new breed of Internet jihadist, helping wage an online propaganda campaign for an organization Canadian security officials liken to "Al Qaeda's spokesman." From his basement flat in Trois-Rivières, about 150 kilometres east of Montreal, Saïd Namouh allegedly edited videos promoting holy war, chatted with other members of the group identified as the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF), and fantasized about martyrdom. "The GIMF is a propaganda and recruitment organization ... they are, in a way, Al Qaeda's spokesman," RCMP Cpl. Michael Hanigan, of the force's integrated national security investigations unit, said in court yesterday. Namouh, who has been in custody since his arrest last September, was in court yesterday seeking bail. Though Namouh, 34, is charged with plotting a terrorist attack against an unspecified foreign country, police confirm he never had any intention of carrying out any attacks in Canada – though in one online transmission he is alleged to have said, "it would be easy to stage a project here." Defence lawyer René Duval insisted the evidence is largely circumstantial and based almost entirely on documents gathered by a foreign intelligence agency. "This evidence doesn't demonstrate anything, it only suggests a certain number of things," he said outside court. The bulk of the evidence in the case was gathered by Austrian intelligence operatives, and includes extensive transcripts of more than 350 online chat sessions and phone conversations conducted over the Internet in 2007. The conversations, where Namouh is alleged to have used the Internet pseudonym "Ashraf," involve technical discussions of how to create propaganda, and cryptic allusions to "Sheikh Osama." In another conversation with someone known as GA, Ashraf says "I'm looking for another job that has the whiff of terrorism." The answer: "Be patient, and soon I will give you a job that you will find satisfying." Another passage translated by Austria's intelligence service refers to steps Ashraf apparently took to cover his traces, boasting "they don't have anything on me, even if someone told them I was a terrorist I've destroyed everything I have at home." And in August of last year, a correspondent identified as MH told Ashraf, "I have a special surprise for you." His reply: "My greatest dream is to be a martyr at your side." The exchange is followed by a reference to flying to Egypt to acquire weapons and a second reference to wanting "a full car," which Hanigan alleged is shorthand for an explosive-laden vehicle. Although there are no specifics about an eventual attack, Ashraf also suggests he would like to target Jews. Duval attacked allegations that Namouh was Ashraf – police say they compared an $800 cash payment and appointments referred to in the conversations and matched them with Namouh – and the direct evidence linking his client with the foreign plot. According to police, Namouh had also sought an extension to his Moroccan passport and was gathering funds to rendezvous with Austrian-based GIMF colleagues in Cairo. Namouh's specific involvement in the GIMF is alleged to have been editing videos and sound tracks and posting them to jihadi websites. Police in Canada also conducted extensive surveillance of Namouh after receiving a request from Austrian authorities to trace an email address. They also seized a computer, several hard drives and DVDs. The computer contained hundreds of images and videos of suicide attacks, bombings aimed at U.S. troops in Iraq, and several beheadings of Westerners. Investigators say it also contained detailed how-to videos on building explosive belts and roadside bombs. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #3 It would be NICE if we secured our Southern border, too, WE2907. I know a lot of Canadians, and 99% of them are great people. Their POLITICIANS are just like ours, though - far more interested in lining their pockets than doing what's needed for their nation. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-02-01 19:21 |
| #2 Exactly why we need document checks at northern border. Because Canucks continue to allow 3rd world rabble to freely enter and make a nest. |
| Posted by: Woozle Elmeter 2907 2008-02-01 14:36 |
| #1 From his basement flat in Trois-Rivières... Was it his mom's basement, I hope, so we can all snicker and hide our faces as we stifle our guffaws... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-02-01 11:29 |