A young individual accused of being involved in a planned terrorist attack targeting Jewish individuals was convicted on Friday of two out of three charges brought against them. The individual was found guilty of plotting to commit murder in late 2023 and attempting to obtain a prohibited firearm in December of the same year, constituting terrorist offenses according to the court.
During the trial in Ottawa, Justice Kerry McVey expressed her belief that the individual had indeed participated in a conspiracy and had made genuine efforts to secure a firearm. She emphasized the seriousness of the individual’s discussions surrounding the acquisition of the weapon, stating that there was no indication to suggest otherwise.
However, the individual was acquitted of another charge related to facilitating terrorist activity by sharing instructional material and propaganda in late 2023. Justice McVey explained that there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual knew the recipient of the materials was planning a terrorist act.
The prosecution announced their intention to seek an adult sentence for the defendant. The individual, an Ottawa resident, was arrested in February 2024 at the age of 15. Another teenager from Ottawa was also recently convicted on multiple charges in an unconventional one-day trial that allows for potential appeals. Both individuals remain anonymous due to legal restrictions on disclosing the identities of minors facing charges.
