(Screengrab via CTV News)
Raed Jaser, the Toronto man accused of participating in a terrorist plot to bomb a Via Rail train made his first court appearance today. Here’s what you need to know about Raed Jaser’s first court appearance and new information coming out about the the 35-year-old Canadian resident.
1) His Lawyer Has Represented Accused Terrorists Before
Lawyer for accused Raed Jaser, charged in alleged terrorist plot in GTA speaks to media @citynews twitter.com/News1_8/status…
— Jeff Ducharme (@News1_8) April 23, 2013
Jaser made his first court appearance Tuesday on charges of plotting to derail a VIA train on behalf of al Qaeda. He was accompanied by his family and lawyer, John Norris.
Jaser did not enter a plea and is set to return to court May 23.
Norris, who also represented Omar Khadr, says that his client will “defend himself vigorously” against the accusations of terrorism.
2) Former Driver
#BREAKING: CityNews has learn Raed Jaser once worked as a driver for a company that transported students to York Region schools.
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNews) April 23, 2013
According to CityNews, Jaser, a landed immigrant for the last 20 years, formerly worked as a driver for a company that transported students to York Region schools.
3) Past Criminal History
(PHOTO) Terror suspect Raed Jaser’s family leave Old City Hall court after his appearance bit.ly/11yF2c2 twitter.com/TheTorontoSun/…
— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) April 23, 2013
Jaser has an extensive criminal history in Canada, with Global News reporting that he’s been charged with fraud under $5,000, failure to comply with the conditions of his probation and threatening death causing bodily harm.
4) Described as “Normal”
This guy shared duplex wall with accused terrorist Raed Jaser in Toronto: ‘You don’t know who you’re living next to.’ twitter.com/AD_Humphreys/s…
— Adrian Humphreys (@AD_Humphreys) April 23, 2013
Sanjay Chaudhary, who lived next door to Jaser for the past year, told Sun News that his neighbour seemed like a “normal guy.”
“I didn’t see anything suspicious. The only thing was he was out at 5:30 a.m. because he’s Muslim, so he has to go to pray at the mosque.”
He said that when they passed one another, Jaser would not exchange pleasantries and the family generally kept to themselves.
5) Extensive Charges
The Attorney General of Canada’s office has released the following list of charges against Jaser.
CONSENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Pursuant to section 83.24 of the Criminal Code I, the undersigned, George Dolhai, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Deputy Attorney General of Canada do consent to the commencement of proceedings against Chiheb ESSEGHAIER and Raed JASER in respect of the following offences:
1. Chiheb ESSEGHAIER and Raed JASER. between April 1st 2012 and September 25th, 2012, in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, and in the City of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, and elsewhere, did conspire, the one with the other, to interfere with transportation facilities contrary to section 248 of the Criminal Code of Canada, for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 83.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
2. Chiheb ESSEGHAIER and Raed JASER, between April 1st, 2012 and September 25th, 2012, in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario and in the City of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec and elsewhere, did conspire, the one with the other, to murder persons unknown contrary to section 235(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada, for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 83.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
3. Chiheb ESSEGHAlER between April 1st, 2012 and September 25 th 2012, in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario and in the City of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec and elsewhere, did knowingly participate in or contribute to, directly or indirectly, any activity of a terrorist group for the purpose of enhancing the ability of any terrorist group to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity. thereby committing an offence contrary to section 83.18 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
4. Chiheb ESSEGlWER, between September 25th, 2012 and December 31st 2012, in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario and in the City of Montreal. in the Province of Quebec and elsewhere, did knowingly participate in or contribute to, directly or indirectly, any activity of a terrorist group for the purpose of enhancing the ability of any terrorist group to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 83.18 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
5. Raed lASER, between April 1st 2012 and September 25th, 2012, in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario and in the City of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec and elsewhere, did knowingly participate in or contribute to, directly or indirectly, any activity of a terrorist group for the purpose of enhancing the ability of any terrorist group to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 83.18 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
6. Chiheb ESSEGHAIER, between September 7th, 2012 and December 20th, 2012, in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario and in the City of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec and elsewhere, did knowingly instruct, directly or indirectly, any person to carry out any activity for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group, for the purpose of enhancing the ability of any terrorist group to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity, contrary to section 83.21 of the Criminal Code of Canada.