Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/690612.

quote:

Brampton – A Mississauga man who confessed to being part of a homegrown terror plot aimed at blowing up buildings in downtown Toronto was sentenced today to 14 years, with credit given for pre-trial custody he was ordered to serve an additional seven years behind bars. Saad Khalid, 23, showed little emotion as Superior Court Justice Bruce Durno read his decision this afternoon in a Brampton court but his family appeared relieved. "Terrorist offences are a most vile form of criminal conduct...They attack the very fabric of Canada's democratic ideals," said Durno, adding the sentence should "send a clear message to those who would be tempted to 'sign-on' to the terrorist plans of the more fanatic." But Durno also said he was persuaded Khalid did not know all the details of the chilling plot and pointed out he has since expressed regret for his role in the group. The judge noted that Khalid was vulnerable after his mother's death, which occurred when he was 16. That, he said, made Khalid vulnerable to being "recruited by more devoted extremists." Khalid's "need to emulate powerful and influential leaders, combined with his youthful naivete, were evident and likely played a role in his behaviour," said the judge, reading from a 48-page ruling. "Khalid has been specifically deterred and learned a significant lesson," said Durno, referring to Khalid's disavowal of terrorism and better understanding of Islam since being in jail. "Some offenders are dangerous and must be separated from society...Khalid is not in the category... I am persuaded that the offender has accepted responsibility for his wrongdoing." The judge said it will be up to the parole board as to when Khalid is eligible for parole, his first opportunity will come up in 28 months. Khalid was ordered to submit a DNA sample and was given a lifetime weapons prohibition. Khalid, who is the second member of the so-called Toronto 18 to be convicted, was given seven years pre-trial credit for the three years and three months spent in jail. The court was filled with Khalid's family and friends, as well as relatives of his co-accused, likely wondering how the decision will impact their loved ones. Also present in the standing-room only courtroom, which was guarded by police, were the lead investigators, as well as members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Khalid's guilty plea in May was the first time a member of the group admitted the existence of a bomb plot targeting the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Front Street offices of Canada's spy agency and a military base near Highway 401. Khalid's sentencing will likely influence some of his co-accused, who are also considering guilty pleas. A publication ban prevents identifying the others. After the decision, Khalid's family avoided the throng of reporters, but defence lawyer Russell Silverstein said his client was "perfectly happy with the outcome." Silverstein also said the sentence marks "a certain milestone," which will likely impact Khalid's co-accused who are awaiting a trial that is expected to start next year. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada, on behalf of the federal Crown, will examine the sentence in the days to come, said Brian Saunders, Canada's Director of Public Prosecutions. "It's important to note that nine persons remain accused and that prosecutions are ongoing in this matter," said Saunders in a statement. Details of the deadly attack, which was to have dwarfed London's 2005 subway bombings, were shared with undercover police agent Shaher Elsohemy in the months leading up to the mass arrests on June 2, 2006. The alleged masterminds of the "Battle of Toronto," as it was called, used Elsohemy to obtain the explosive chemicals needed to pack U-Haul vans with fertilizer explosives, according to a statement of uncontested facts. The arrests of 14 adults and four youths came on the day that police set up a sting operation involving the delivery of three tones of ammonium nitrate. Khalid was not the alleged ringleader, but he played a role in the scheme. The University of Toronto student arranged for the rental of warehouse space to store the fertilizer and was responsible for unloading the delivery truck when it arrived. A video played in court showed Khalid and a co-accused unloading a truck and carrying bags labelled "ammonium nitrate" into the warehouse. The pair donned T-shirts with the words "Student Farmers" to avoid suspicion. Khalid pleaded guilty to intending to cause an explosion that would likely cause serious bodily harm, death or damage to property. Defence lawyer Silverstein had suggested Khalid be given a 10-year sentence and extra credit for time served, including 15 months in solitary. He proposed that his client spend an additional two years behind bars. However, Crown Prosecutor Croft Michaelson argued a more appropriate sentence was in the range of 18 to 20 years, with eligibility for parole after serving half. He suggested that with credit for time served, Khalid spend, at least, an additional 12 and a half years incarcerated. During his sentencing hearing, Khalid told the court that he regretted his role in "this despicable crime." "I was not motivated by a hate for Canada, Canadians, democracy or Canadian values," said Khalid, reading from a prepared statement. "I was instead motivated by my disagreement on the issue of Canadian foreign policy, specifically Canada's involvement in Afghanistan." Central to the Crown's case against the group are two alleged conspiracies: that in December 2005 some members attended a terrorist training camp, and that some were involved in the bomb plot. According to court documents, Khalid also attended the 12-day camp, held in Washago, Ont. While there he participated in activities such as marching, paintball games, running an obstacle course and shooting an air rifle. He was also present when the alleged ringleader gave a speech telling attendees it was their mission to defeat Rome, a reference to the United States. The two alleged ringleaders of the group had a falling out in March 2006, which is around the time that the bomb plot took form. Since the arrests in June 2006, charges have been stayed against three youths and four adults. One youth was sentenced to time served. Pre-trial motions are still ongoing for the remaining nine adults.

The messed up part for me is that I was schoolmates with him in Grade 8, and I considered him a pretty close friend. We ended up going to different high schools and never kept in touch after that, but I did hear from a mutual friend that he'd been affected a lot by the passing of his mother. You can imagine the shock I experienced when I opened up The Star and saw his face staring at me. I'm just thankful that nobody was hurt.