'Toronto 18' ringleader pleads guilty
A ray of light in terror prosecutions as a terrorist who wanted to set off a series of bombs in Canada is set to plead guilty.
CBC News is reporting:
Zakaria Amara pleaded guilty Thursday to charges related to the Toronto 18 terrorist plot to set off three fertilizer bombs, two in Toronto and one at an unnamed Ontario military base.Amara, 24, has been alleged to be one of the ringleaders in the plot to recruit and train extremists to carry out the attacks, which never transpired. He is the fourth adult to admit guilt in the affair.
In a Brampton, Ont., courtroom, Amara pleaded guilty to two counts: knowingly participating in a terrorist group and intending to cause an explosion for the benefit of a terrorist group.
Justice Bruce Durno entered convictions against Amara on those counts before proceeding to sentencing. An agreed statement of facts is being read into the court record.
In all, 17 men and youths were arrested in the Toronto area in June 2006 and detained following an investigation by CSIS. An 18th person was arrested in August 2006.
The suspects faced charges including participating in a terrorist group, receiving training from a terrorist group, providing training and intending to cause an explosion that could cause serious bodily harm or death.
The offences allegedly took place between March and June 2006 in Mississauga and a rural township near Orillia, Ont.
The Crown alleges that the group's potential targets were the CN Tower, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Toronto CSIS office.
Several of Amara's confederates have also been found guilty previously.
All in all, a good job by our neighbors to the north. That makes 18 bad guys taken off the streets and sent away for a long time.