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Accused terrorist conspirator Misbahuddin Ahmed began testifying in his own defence Monday after his lawyer gave the jury a 10-point outline of what will be his challenges to the prosecution’s case.
Ahmed, a former diagnostic imaging technician at The Ottawa Hospital, has pleaded not guilty to three terrorism-related offences: conspiring with two others to facilitate a terrorist activity, participating in the activities of a terrorist group, and possessing an explosive device.
Much of the early part of Monday’s testimony focused on Islam and Ahmed’s interpretations of Islam’s holy book, the Koran.
A key pillar of Islam, he said, was an adherence to oaths and obligations that, as a Canadian, meant that he would do nothing that might harm Canada or Canadians.
“As a Canadian I have taken an oath to abide by the laws of the land,” he said.
Defence lawyer Mark Ertel raised the example Canada’s support for the American invasion of Afghanistan, which Ahmed agreed differed from his own views.
In a case where an adherent Muslim differs from his or her government, the correct reaction is passive objection, he said – writing letters to newspapers, as an example..
Ahmed told the jury that he was born in Pakistan 30 years ago and had moved with to Saudi Arabia with his parents and four siblings when he was six years old.
His father, who holds a PhD in chemistry and a master’s degree in Islamic law, is a businessman and Muslim cleric. He has spent time in the northern United States in his religious, capacity including a period as a federal prison chaplain.
The family spent eight years in Saudi Arabia before coming to Canada so his three sisters could get a secondary education, said Ahmed, who was 14 when they arrived in Montreal.
Ahmed, now married with three daughters, testified he could not speak French and in Quebec experienced for the first time being among people of different cultures and religions.
He said he learned, with difficulty, to skate and enjoyed playing ball hockey – “the immigrant’s way of playing hockey.”
Following his arrest in August 2010, RCMP officers found a bag of circuit boards and other paraphernalia in Ahmed’s home – a bag they had previously found during a covert search of his alleged co-conspirator’s home.
As part of his 10-point defence, he says he did not possess the circuit boards “for a dangerous purpose” and not did he work on them with his alleged co-conspirator who police allege was the prime motivator of the conspiracy.
He admits to twice contributing money to a fund for his co-accused but that it was on the understanding it was for the poor and needy of Kurdistan – areas of Iraq, Iran and Turkey where the majority of Kurds live.
Ahmed also denied knowing “the full extent” of his co-conspirator’s foreign connections and said he didn’t knowingly support or assist foreign terrorist groups.
The trial continues
ccobb@ottawacitizen.com
twitter.com/chrisicobb
查看原文...
Ahmed, a former diagnostic imaging technician at The Ottawa Hospital, has pleaded not guilty to three terrorism-related offences: conspiring with two others to facilitate a terrorist activity, participating in the activities of a terrorist group, and possessing an explosive device.
Much of the early part of Monday’s testimony focused on Islam and Ahmed’s interpretations of Islam’s holy book, the Koran.
A key pillar of Islam, he said, was an adherence to oaths and obligations that, as a Canadian, meant that he would do nothing that might harm Canada or Canadians.
“As a Canadian I have taken an oath to abide by the laws of the land,” he said.
Defence lawyer Mark Ertel raised the example Canada’s support for the American invasion of Afghanistan, which Ahmed agreed differed from his own views.
In a case where an adherent Muslim differs from his or her government, the correct reaction is passive objection, he said – writing letters to newspapers, as an example..
Ahmed told the jury that he was born in Pakistan 30 years ago and had moved with to Saudi Arabia with his parents and four siblings when he was six years old.
His father, who holds a PhD in chemistry and a master’s degree in Islamic law, is a businessman and Muslim cleric. He has spent time in the northern United States in his religious, capacity including a period as a federal prison chaplain.
The family spent eight years in Saudi Arabia before coming to Canada so his three sisters could get a secondary education, said Ahmed, who was 14 when they arrived in Montreal.
Ahmed, now married with three daughters, testified he could not speak French and in Quebec experienced for the first time being among people of different cultures and religions.
He said he learned, with difficulty, to skate and enjoyed playing ball hockey – “the immigrant’s way of playing hockey.”
Following his arrest in August 2010, RCMP officers found a bag of circuit boards and other paraphernalia in Ahmed’s home – a bag they had previously found during a covert search of his alleged co-conspirator’s home.
As part of his 10-point defence, he says he did not possess the circuit boards “for a dangerous purpose” and not did he work on them with his alleged co-conspirator who police allege was the prime motivator of the conspiracy.
He admits to twice contributing money to a fund for his co-accused but that it was on the understanding it was for the poor and needy of Kurdistan – areas of Iraq, Iran and Turkey where the majority of Kurds live.
Ahmed also denied knowing “the full extent” of his co-conspirator’s foreign connections and said he didn’t knowingly support or assist foreign terrorist groups.
The trial continues
ccobb@ottawacitizen.com
twitter.com/chrisicobb
查看原文...
