Canadian police charge ISIS conspirator in plot against Jews, two attempted kidnappings in Greater Toronto Area
Waleed Khan, 26, and two others face terrorism, kidnapping and hate-crime charges after authorities said they conspired with ISIS and targeted Jewish communities and women.
TORONTO — Waleed Khan, 26, of Toronto, was charged Friday with conspiring to commit murder for a terrorist group, providing funds and property to the Islamic State and aiding terrorist activity, Toronto police said. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the alleged crimes took place between June 17 and Aug. 17.
Two other men were arrested in connection with two alleged attempted kidnappings in the Greater Toronto Area in May and June. Osman Azizov, 18, and Fahad Sadaat, 19, are the others charged in the case.
In May, authorities say a woman was approached by the three men — one armed with a handgun and another with a knife — who attempted to force her into a vehicle, but the suspects fled when approached by another motorist.
Less than a month later, the trio allegedly approached a pair of women while carrying a handgun, rifle and knife, and began chasing the victims until a nearby witness intervened.
Police say 79 charges have been brought against the three men, with each facing 14 charges, including attempted kidnapping with a firearm, sexual assault with a weapon and hate crimes.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the case shows the investigation and collaboration across agencies to stop a dangerous pattern of hate-motivated crimes and terrorism in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
Investigators recovered a trove of guns and other evidence suggesting additional hate-crime activity could have been carried out in the region and beyond.
The arrests reflect collaboration among Peel Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, authorities said. The investigation remains ongoing.
