Toronto Star : Terrorism suspect loses bid for bail

Terrorism suspect loses bid for bail

SAN GREWAL | STAFF REPORTER | September 20, 2006

Zakaria Amara exited a Brampton courtroom yesterday, still in shackles and handcuffs after the 21-year-old accused man in the ongoing homegrown-terrorism case was denied bail.

Charged with four offences under Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act, Amara entered the courtroom, smiling behind his thick beard, looking at his mother 20 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 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.

Moments later, Amara left the prisoner's box as his mother, almost in tears, watched her son escorted away.

Denial of bail for Amara came after two other adults accused in the case were released on bail earlier this summer: 19-year-old Ibrahim Aboud and 21-year-old Ahmad Ghany. Three of the four youths charged in the case have also received bail, the other was denied.

None of the youths can be named.

Three other adults have been denied bail: 21-year-old Asad Ansari, 20-year-old Amin Durrani and 20-year-old Saad Khalid.

Bail hearings for Jahmaal James and Qayyum Abdul Jamal are to begin next week.