Judge grants bail to Calgary man facing terrorism charges

CALGARY — A judge has granted bail to an Alberta man facing four terrorism charges.

The charges against Hussein Sobhe Borhot, 34, of Calgary include participation in activity of a terrorism group and commission of an offence for a terrorist group.

Provincial court Judge Anne Brown released Borhot on a number of strict conditions, including that he wear an ankle tracking device that his family must pay for.

The RCMP will supervise his release. He must notify the police force of any changes to his name, address, phone number or work and must remain in Alberta.

He cannot apply for a passport or travel documents and is banned from having any firearms, ammunition or explosives.

Police allege the accused travelled to Syria between May 2013 and June 2014 to join Islamic State militants.

They believe the group trained him for the purpose of enhancing its ability and that Borhot knowingly committed the offence of kidnapping while working with the militants.

All the evidence presented during the bail hearing is covered by a publication ban.

Borhot was not in court Thursday, but was on the telephone from the Calgary Remand Centre. His next court date is Sept. 14.

Alberta RCMP’s Integrated National Enforcement Team laid the charges against the 34-year-old last week.

The Mounties have indicated an investigation continues and further charges and arrests are a possibility.

A federal report on extremism last year said some 190 people with connections to Canada were suspected of terrorist activity abroad and about 60 had returned.

The Islamic State group took over territory in Iraq and Syria and implemented a harsh form of Islamic law. The United Nations has accused the group of crimes against humanity, including mass executions, abducting women and girls to use as sex slaves and using child soldiers. (CTV Calgary, The Canadian Press)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2020

The Canadian Press