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Canadian Islamic Terrorist Accused Now In Court
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by Barry Artiste | June 23, 2008 at 05:34 am
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Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor
The Worlds eyes will be upon Canada, in what is the First Terrorist Trial is underway in Ottawa, Ontario.
Momin Khawaja, said to be the Explosives Canadian Mastermind in the 2004 Britian Terrorist plot to set off a series of explosions by Islamic Extremists Five of his alleged accomplices are serving lengthy sentences in British prisons. Much of the same evidence that put them in jail is expected to be used against Mr. Khawaja when he becomes the first Canadian to be charged under the Anti-terrorism Act of 2001, enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorism attacks in the U.S. Prosecution witness and convicted terrorist Mohammed Junaid Babar, an American of Pakistani origin, told the British trial that he worked with Mr. Khawaja in Pakistan at an al-Qaeda training camp during the summer of 2003 and that Mr. Khawaja returned to Pakistan months later. last year in which his co conspiritors are now serving life in prison in Britian will certainly send a message to Terrorists whose base in Canada.
The trial is expected to last a few months, and downtown Ottawa centering around the Ottawa Courthouse is under tight security with all levels of Law Enforcement making a known precence on every street corner.
I will cover any updates that follow.
Accused terrorist Momin Khawaja arrived at the Elgin Street Courthouse around 9:15 this morning.
The accused was escorted in one of four vehicles that arrived at the courthouse before proceeding to the underground parking lot.
Tactical officers were seated in the front seat wearing masks.
Security is tight at the courthouse with the trial expected to start at 10 a.m. Concrete barricades blocking off the semi-circlular driveway at the Elgin St. courthouse were the only sign yesterday afternoon that something monumental is about to happen.
Inside the building lies courtroom No. 37 where the spectacle that will be the trial of Mohammed Momin Khawaja -- the first Canadian charged under the federal Anti-Terrorism Act -- begins. It's been four years in the making.
The Ottawa software developer, who was arrested in March 2004, stands accused of being an instrumental player in an international plot by Islamic extremists to set off explosions in Britain.
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Barry Artiste
Vancouver, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 06:55 on June 23rd, 2008
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
what about the Sikh terrorist of Air India "Kanishka" Airplane Bombing.
That has been completely forgotten by the Canadian Government
at 07:58 on June 23rd, 2008
Thanks Azzay, it is very much appreciated.
No the air india bombing is still in the forefront in our Canadian courts.
at 08:24 on June 23rd, 2008
Interestingly, there's some controversy over who should pay for the extra security measures. (Do they really need snipers?)
Source: theglobeandmail.com
at 11:07 on June 23rd, 2008
You know paying for securityis an issue, but publicity on this trial is a gold mine for the service industries supplying media wonks who are staying in hotels, eating out etc.,
Thanks for the commentary Julian
at 14:31 on June 23rd, 2008
One other issue the Feds may put to Ottawa are the annual transfer funds the feds pay Ottawa in lieu of taxes, which may be bumped up to pay for the added security. Though Ottawa has always had a sticking point with the feds over non payment of property taxes for federal buildings, as they feel the transfer payments are never sufficient. But then they have a bloated bureaucracy called the National Capital Commission, which many feel is a patronage department to hire new best pals, sort of like our GVRD except for parks and such.