Globe and Mail : Accused in terror plot denied bail in Brampton

Accused in terror plot denied bail in Brampton

by OMAR EL AKKAD | September 20, 2006

Zakaria Amara, accused of co-leading a plot to blow up Canadian landmarks using ammonium nitrate-based explosives, was denied bail yesterday.

The 20-year-old sat quietly in the prisoner's box of a Brampton courtroom yesterday, occasionally shaking his head, as Judge Helda Weiss read her decision.

Mr. Amara's mother and siblings looked on, but otherwise the courtroom was mostly empty save for police and court officials.

Details of the bail hearing are covered by a publication ban. However, terrorism-related charges fall under a category of serious offences for which bail is "reverse onus."

Usually it is the responsibility of the Crown to show why a defendant should be denied bail, but in reverse onus cases it is up to the defence to make the case that the defendant should be granted bail.

Because bail review usually takes place after 90 days, it is likely Mr. Amara will spend all of Ramadan behind bars.

Mr. Amara's lawyer, David Kolinsky, said his understanding is that Maplehurst Correctional Complex has housed Muslim prisoners in the past and that prison officials are prepared to accommodate their needs during Ramadan.