Barry Artiste Op/Ed
Canada’s First Islamic Terrorist Momin Khawaja charged in a landmark Terrorist Case for complicity in bombing London landmarks, clubs etc faced 7 charges of Terrorism. Today an Ottawa, Ontario Judge took 15 minutes to render a Guilty Verdict and will pronounce sentencing November 18 , 2008.
Momin’s accomplices in England are all currently serving life sentences. It will be interesting to see how Canadian Justice plays out in this case and if the same sentence is meted out to Momin.
Many are gobsmacked including his close friends who knew nothing of his Dark side or how this Canadian Man could carry out the deaths of hundreds of innocent, while it seems his supporters have dwindled to a handful as insurmountable evidence points to his acts of terrorism.
Many wonder how his views on Islam were warped by those who motives were killing anyone and every non believer.
One cannot understand how his parents are coping at the loss of freedom of their son, who at one time was a typical fun loving teenager in Canada. Certainly not the ideals and values their parents brought with them when they came to Canada in the late 1960s.
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2008/10/29/7236441-sun.html
Wed, October 29, 2008
Verdict in landmark trial Judge to expected to rule in Canada’s first terrorism court case today, setting legal precedent
By DONNA CASEY, SUN MEDIA
After a four-year legal odyssey, a judge will deliver his verdict today in the terrorism case of Mohammad Momin Khawaja.
At 10 a.m. this morning, Ontario Superior Court Justice Douglas Rutherford will rule on the seven charges the 29-year-old Orleans man faces under Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act provisions of the Criminal Code.
The former computer programmer and self-avowed Islamic extremist is charged with facilitating, financing and participating in a U.K. terror group that plotted to explode fertilizer bombs in 2004 at several U.K. locations, including a nightclub and a shopping complex.
Federal Crown prosecutors say Khawaja designed and built a remote-controlled detonator — which he dubbed the Hi-Fi Digimonster — for the terrorist cell.
FACES LIFE IN PRISON
Convictions on three of the seven charges carry life sentences. Guilty verdicts on three other charges carry 10-year prison sentences.
Another charge carries a 14-year prison term.
In today’s decision, Rutherford will rule on the Crown’s claim that the charges go beyond the bomb plot — which aimed to use 600 kg of ammonium nitrate to blow up major gas and electric facilities in England and Wales — and include Khawaja’s desire to wage “violent jihad” in Afghanistan.
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2008/10/29/7236436-sun.html
By DONNA CASEY, SUN MEDIA
Count 1: MAKING THE DETONATOR That Momin Khawaja between July 13, 2003 and March 30, 2004 at or near Ottawa, London and the town of Slough, U.K., worked on the development of a device to activate a detonator with the intent to cause an explosion of an explosive substance likely to cause serious bodily harm or death to persons and that he committed the offence at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group. Maximum sentence: Life
Count 2: POSSESSION OF DETONATOR That Khawaja had in his possession or under his care or control an explosive substance to endanger life or to cause serious damage to property and that he committed the offence at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group. Maximum sentence: Life
Count 3: PARTICIPATING IN TERRORIST TRAINING CAMP IN PAKISTAN That Khawaja between Jan. 12, 2002 and March 30, 2004 at or near Ottawa and Pakistan knowingly participated or contributed to the activity of a terrorist group. Maximum sentence: 10 years
Count 4: FINANCING TERRORISM — WIRING MONEY That Khawaja between Jan. 12, 2003 and March 30, 2004 at or near Ottawa, London and the town of Slough, U.K., instructed Zenab Armandpisheh to open a bank account and conduct financial transactions for a terrorist group. Maximum sentence: Life
Count 5: MAKING PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITY — HOUSE IN RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN That Khawaja between Sept. 1, 2002 and March 30, 2004 at or near Ottawa, London and Pakistan made property and financial services available to others for terrorist purposes. Maximum sentence: 10 years
Count 6: PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY OF A TERRORIST GROUP — TRIPS TO LONDON That Khawaja between Jan. 1, 2002 and March 30, 2004 at or near Ottawa, London and Slough, U.K. met and exchanged information relating to the development of an explosive device intending to endanger life or cause serous damage to property. Maximum sentence: 10 years
Count 7: FACILITATING TERRORISM That Khawaja on or between Jan. 12, 202 and March 30, 2004 at or near Ottawa, London and Slough, U.K. and Pakistan facilitated a terrorist activity. Maximum sentence: 14 years
Timeline on Momin Khawaja…The Life and Times of Momin and events leading up to his terrorist bent.
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/thecanadian.html
Tags: Canada | Britain | Ottawa | London | terrorism | opinion | World | explosives | Momin Khawaja