THE RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in British Columbia on Friday arrested Othman Ayed Hamdan, 33, of Fort St. John, B.C., and charged him for committing terrorism offences contrary to Section 83.2 of the Criminal Code. The offences include:
* counselling to commit murder for the benefit of a terrorist group;
* counselling to assault causing bodily harm for the benefit of a terrorist group; and
* counselling to commit aggravated assault, for the benefit of a terrorist group.
This national security criminal investigation began in October 2014 and allegedly revealed that Hamdan was involved in posting pro-Islamic State (ISIS) propaganda online which included inducement and instructions to commit murder in the name of jihad. A search warrant was executed at his residence and a number of items were seized as part of the ongoing investigation.
“Through the collaboration of our INSET, we were able to arrest this individual and disrupt his efforts to harm citizens across the country,” said Superintendent Dan Bond, Assistant Criminal Operations Officer, National Security for the RCMP in B.C.
“The safety and security of citizens across Canada is of the utmost importance to us, and we take these threats very seriously,” said Chief Superintendent Scott Doran, Officer-in-Charge of the RCMP’s Federal Policing Criminal Operations in Ottawa.
As Canada’s national police force, the RCMP is a lead participant in Canada’s response to terrorist criminal activity and national security criminal investigations both at home and abroad. The RCMP encourages citizens to remain vigilant and to report any information on terrorism or related suspicious activities to the National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805 or by contacting the police in their community.
As the matter is now before the courts, the RCMP said they will not be providing further comment.