Montreal teen accused in terrorism case faces new assault charge
Global News
A teenager who allegedly intended to carry out a terrorist attack is facing new charges of assaulting a peace officer, according to a Crown prosecutor.
A 17-year-old boy who allegedly intended to carry out an attack on behalf of the Islamic State is facing a new charge of assaulting a peace officer, a federal Crown prosecutor said Friday.
Prosecutor Marc Cigana told reporters at Montreal’s youth court that the alleged assault occurred at RCMP headquarters in Westmount, Que., after the teen was arrested on Aug. 20.
“The charge is a charge of assaulting a police officer in the fulfilment of his duties causing bodily harm,” Cigana said.
The youth, who cannot be named because he is a minor, is also facing charges of providing or making available property or services for terrorist purposes; participating in the activity of a terrorist group; and facilitating a terrorist activity.
The teen appeared in court Friday wearing a white dress shirt and flanked by three security personnel. He remained expressionless and stared straight ahead during the brief hearing, while his mother sat in the audience.
Cigana said he will seek to have the teen sentenced as an adult on all the charges if he is found guilty, which will allow him to receive a far longer sentence than he would under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
“The offences are serious offences,” he said. “We’re talking about terrorism offences…we call it financing terrorism, gathering, collecting goods for the purpose of committing a terrorist activity, participating in a terrorist activity, facilitating terrorist activity and participating in a terrorist group and that’s the Islamic State,” he said.
Defence lawyer Tiago Murias asked Judge Éric Beauparlant for more time to prepare his client’s case, which includes developing a plan for an eventual release from detention. Murias said he was still waiting for the Crown to disclose the evidence against his client, including “a very specific element that the defence wants to have before taking a position on anything.”
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