16-year sentence for Toronto 18 terror ringleader

Published Monday, Oct. 25, 2010 11:27AM EDTLast updated Monday, Oct. 25, 2010 12:26PM EDT56 comments

The ringleader of the so-called Toronto 18, who had pleaded guilty to terror charges that included attacking Parliament, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Fahim Ahmad had pleaded guilty in mid-trial to participating in a terrorist group, importing firearms and instructing his co-accused to carry out an activity for a terrorist group.

Mr. Ahmad has a credit of 8-1/2 years for time served and is eligible for parole in 3-1/2 years.

Evidence presented in court included dozens of intercepts, including one where Mr. Ahmad can be heard suggesting going to Parliament to “cut off some heads” and “kill everybody.”

Court heard Mr. Ahmad, 26, was the leader of a terror cell and held two training camps to assess his recruits' suitability to help him attack Parliament, electrical grids and nuclear stations.

Of the 18 people charged, seven had their charges dropped or stayed, four were found guilty and seven pleaded guilty.

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