2006 Ontario terrorism plot

2006 Ontario terrorism case
LocationOttawa and Toronto
DateJune 2, 2006 – Planned but never executed
TargetVarious places in Canada and Southern Ontario, including Parliament Hill, the Prime Minister of Canada, CSIS Headquarters, and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Attack type
Conspiracy
Deaths0
Injured0
No. of participants
18 (11 convicted)

The 2006 Ontario terrorism case is the plotting of a series of attacks against targets in Southern Ontario, Canada, and the June 2, 2006 counter-terrorism raids in and around the Greater Toronto Area that resulted in the arrest of 14 adults and 4 youths (the "Toronto 18").[1] These individuals have been characterized as having been inspired by al-Qaeda.[2][3]

They were accused of planning to detonate truck bombs, to open fire in a crowded area, and to storm the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, the Parliament of Canada building, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) headquarters, and the parliamentary Peace Tower to take hostages and to behead the Prime Minister and other leaders.

Following the jury trial in June 2010, a comprehensive presentation of the case and the evidence obtained from court exhibits previously restricted was given by Isabel Teotonio of the Toronto Star. It contained the details on guilty pleas, convictions, and stayed/dismissed charges. The Ontario Court of Appeal released their decision on December 17, 2010.[4]

Seven adults pleaded guilty, including the two ringleaders—Fahim Ahmad, who was sentenced to 16 years, and Zakaria Amara, who received a life sentence and initially had his Canadian citizenship revoked but later restored following the passage of Bill C-6.[5][6] The remaining five received sentences ranging from seven to 20 years. A further three adults and one youth were convicted at trial; the youth was sentenced to 2.5 years while the adults received sentences of 6.5 years, ten years, and life imprisonment. Four adults and two youths were released after the charges against them were stayed and one youth had his charges dismissed.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cbc2013-09-25 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dawn2006-06-04 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ynn2006-06-03 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Tyler, Tracey (December 17, 2010). "Appeal court hikes sentences for terror convictions". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  5. ^ "Canada revokes citizenship of Toronto 18 terror mastermind - The Star". thestar.com. September 26, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "Immigration minister defends legislation that prevents convicted dual nationals from losing citizenship". National Post. March 1, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  7. ^ "TORONTO 18 - thestar.com". www3.thestar.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.