Toronto Star : Terror suspect denied bail

Terror suspect denied bail

Five of 18 accused out on bail

SAN GREWAL | STAFF REPORTER | September 19, 2006

BRAMPTON - Zakaria Amara, a 21-year-old co-accused in the ongoing homegrown terrorism case, was denied bail this morning in a Brampton courtroom.

Charged with four offences under Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act, Amara entered the courtroom at about 9:30 this morning. He was handcuffed and shackled, but smiled widely behind his thick beard toward his mother, who sat twenty feet away.

The charges include two counts of receiving terrorist training and participating in a terrorist group, one count of recruiting for a terrorist group and one count of intent to set off an explosion with the aim of causing bodily harm or great damage.

Amara’s optimistic smiles gave way to a reserved expression as he shook his head repeatedly while Justice of the Peace Hilda Weiss read out the evidence against him before giving her decision.

Shortly after, Amara left the prisoner’s box, gesturing to reporters, as his mother, almost in tears, watched her son escorted away by police officers.

Five of the 18 co-accused in the case have already received bail, including two adults.

The others have either been denied, are waiting for their bail hearings to conclude or were already in custody for other related offences.

Amara's next appearance in court is set for October 27th. Preliminary hearings for the trial begin in March 2007.