Court documents show the father, for benefit of Islamic state, used sword to hack person in another country
RCMP Federal Police have arrested a father and son on several terrorism related charges in an advanced plan to commit a violent, serious massive casualty attack in Toronto.
They allegedly recorded a video showing them holding bladed weapons in front of an ISIS flag. The four-minute video, titled “Deterring Spies,” shows a prisoner confessing before being led outside and then suspended from a crucifix-like structure in the sand.
Arabic script in the video says that enemies of God are to be killed, crucified or have their hands and feet cut off. A middle-aged man is shown wearing a black hat with the ISIS logo. With a sword, he hacks the hands and feet off the prisoner.
The video was posted on Jihadology website that is run by Aaron Zelin, who is a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, which is an authority on ISIS.
Ahmed Eldidi, 62, and Mostafa Eldidi, 26, have each been charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group, facilitating terrorist activity, one count each of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, and conspiracy to commit murder. In addition, Ahmed Eldidi faces an additional charge of aggravated assault.
They were arrested by GTA INSET at a hotel in Richmond Hill, who were in the advanced stages of planning a serious, violent attack in Toronto. The RCMP are alleging that the accused knowingly facilitated terrorist activity in the Greater Toronto Area. They say there is no evidence to suggest that there is any remaining risk to the public.
The exact nature of the threat falls under a publication ban.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for the Liberal government to answer how they got Canadian citizenship.
“The Trudeau government must immediately explain how this alleged ISIS terrorist with blood on his hands managed to immigrate to Canada and be granted Canadian citizenship.”
Mostafa and Ahmed Eldidi were in court Aug. 1 and are back on Aug. 7. They also face weapons charges for possession of an axe and a machete, which they had with them at the hotel when they were arrested,.
GTA INSET would like to thank the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario, Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Toronto Police Service, the Canada Border Services Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police Service, and Durham Regional Police Service for their collaboration on this successful investigation.
“I am very proud of the impressive team effort that made these arrests possible,” said Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs, Regional Commander for RCMP Federal Policing Central Region.
“I also want to thank our law enforcement partners in the INSET group for their invaluable assistance. The RCMP Federal Police take all threats to our national security very seriously. This was an imminent threat and we were able to prevent serious injuries or loss of life.”
NSET (Integrated National Security Enforcement Team) is made up of representatives of the RCMP, Municipal and Provincial police forces as well as Federal and Provincial partners and agencies. INSET collects, shares, and analyzes information that concerns threats to National Security and criminal extremism/terrorism.
If you have concerns that someone is considering, planning, or preparing to commit an act of violence or to help others in committing acts of terrorism, please contact your local police service. It is incumbent to report any suspicious behaviour. If there is an immediate threat to your safety, or the safety of others, please dial 911.
Non‐emergency tips can be reported to the RCMP National Security Information Network by phone at 1‐800‐420‐5805 or online at rcmp.ca/report-it
