Toronto man appears in court on terrorism charges

Apr 6, 2017 | News

By HumberNews

Pamir Hakimzadah (TWITTER:@Pamir_Hakim)

By: Tyler Hehn

A Toronto man appeared in court Thursday morning on terrorism related charges. He is accused of attempting to leave Canada to join ISIS.

According to a press release from the RCMP, investigations on Pamir Hakimzadah began in January 2016. He travelled to Turkey in 2014, attempting to join the Islamic State. He was detained by authorities and then returned to Canada.

The RCMP stated that there was never a risk to public safety during the investigation named Project Sachet.

Hakimzadah appeared before the courts on Thursday to hear charges laid by the RCMP, listed under section 83.181 of the Criminal Code, leaving Canada to participate in activity of terrorist group. He is set to appear in court next on April 26 via video.

 

The RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in Toronto carried out the arrest of Hakimzadah. Additional charges were then laid during a process explained by Toronto Police Constable David Hopkinson.

“If he was in custody they do what is called a judge’s order where they take a person that’s in custody, put them before a judge and say, ‘look we have these new charges’,” Hopkinson said.

Constable Hopkinson added that cooperation between authorities is essential.

“We always cooperate and collaborate with other municipalities and jurisdictions. The simple fact is crimes are committed across the GTA, sometimes in Toronto sometimes outside of Toronto by the same people,” said Hopkinson, “We have to collaborate and we have to cooperate.”

The Canadian Council of Imams issued a statement in response to the arrest, expressing

complete confidence in the Canadian justice system. The main goal for the collective of Muslim leaders is to unify against extremism, as per their website.