Police lay terrorism‑related charges as alleged offences targeted women and members of the Jewish community
From left, Osman Azizov, Waleed Khan, and Fahad Sadaat. (Supplied by Toronto Police)
A joint investigation involving the Toronto Police Service (TPS), Peel Regional Police (PRP), and the RCMP has resulted in the arrest of three Toronto men and the laying of 79 charges connected to a series of alleged violent offences, including kidnapping, attempted kidnapping with firearms, conspiracy to commit sexual assault, and hostage taking. Police say the investigation, known as Project Neapolitan, also uncovered evidence of hate‑motivated extremism and led to a separate terrorism‑related charge laid by the RCMP‑led Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET).
According to police, the investigation began after two violent incidents in the Greater Toronto Area in 2025. On May 31, a woman in the Don Mills Road and Rochefort Drive area of Toronto was approached by three men, one armed with a handgun and another with a knife. Police say the suspects attempted to force her into a vehicle but fled when a passing motorist intervened. On June 24 in Mississauga, two women were chased by three armed men on Ellesboro Drive near Swanhurst Boulevard before the suspects again fled when interrupted by a passerby.
PRP investigators connected the two incidents and, with assistance from TPS, identified and arrested the suspects. Police executed search warrants at the accused individuals’ Toronto residences, seizing firearms, ammunition, high‑capacity magazines, and other items described as having evidentiary value.
Investigators say the evidence expanded the scope of the case to include additional alleged offences motivated by hate, particularly targeting women and members of the Jewish community. Police also uncovered links to terrorism, prompting a parallel RCMP investigation through INSET. That investigation resulted in terrorism‑related charges against one of the accused, Waleed Khan.
Throughout the operation, TPS, PRP, and the RCMP worked with intelligence partners and other police services to monitor potential threats and coordinate public‑safety measures. The agencies thanked the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Durham Regional Police Service, and FINTRAC for their assistance.
A court‑ordered publication ban is in place, limiting the release of further information while judicial proceedings continue.
In a statement, TPS Chief Myron Demkiw said, “This investigation demonstrates the impact of strong collaboration in protecting our communities. Working with Peel Regional Police, the RCMP, and our law‑enforcement and intelligence partners, we have arrested three individuals for offences targeting women and members of the Jewish community.”
PRP Chief Nishan Duraiappah said, “What began as armed, coordinated attempts to kidnap women led to significant arrests and charges, stopping a dangerous escalation of hate‑motivated crimes and terrorism across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.”
Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs of the RCMP said the arrests reflect “the strong and unwavering commitment of the RCMP and our partners… to keeping our communities safe.”
Police identified the accused as Waleed Khan, 26, Osman Azizov, 18, and Fahad Sadaat, 19, all of Toronto. Each faces multiple charges, including disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, theft of motor vehicle, utter forged document, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, hostage taking, impersonating police, sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose, and several firearm‑related offences. All three are also charged with two counts each of sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault, pointing a firearm, prohibited device possession, and attempted kidnapping with a firearm.
Khan faces additional charges, including possession of a weapon while prohibited, assault with a weapon, theft of motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime, failing to comply with probation, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of firearms and weapons, possession of an automobile master key, carrying a concealed weapon, and breaches of weapons prohibition and probation orders.
All three accused are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street on January 29, 2026, at 10 a.m. in room 202.
