http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1165877416252&call_pageid=968350130169&col=969483202845
`Star power' makes terror suspect risk, court told Dec. 12, 2006. 01:00 AM ISABEL TEOTONIO STAFF REPORTER A suspected terrorist, who once worked for Osama bin Laden, should not be released on bail because that could present new opportunities for him to draw on his "star power" and inspire impressionable Muslim youth, a federal court heard yesterday. An intelligence officer with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service testified someone with Mohamed Mahjoub's "impressive pedigree," and "credibility" could "influence individuals in the global jihadist cause. "Young impressionable extremists have big buttons that could be pushed," said the officer identified only as "JP," adding Mahjoub could encourage their development. "You can have an inspirational influence that can act as an accelerant." Mahjoub has been held for six years on a national security certificate, which allows suspects to be detained without charge and deported without knowing the full evidence against them in terrorism cases. Most of Mahjoub's celebrity comes from the media attention garnered by his case and a handful of others like him, also held on security certificates. Alexandre Trudeau, son of the late prime minister, and former Iraq hostage James Loney have condemned the certificates. Trudeau offered to be a surety for Syrian refugee Hassan Almrei, and Loney for Egyptian refugee Mahmoud Jaballah. When questioned by one of Mahjoub's lawyers, Barbara Jackman, JP said he believes young Muslims could be drawn to Mahjoub, in part because he has "walked the walk in the company of Osama bin Laden." "A delayering of the global command structure of Al Qaeda since 9/11 and increased `freelancing' of home-grown self-starters may present new opportunities for Mr. Mahjoub to draw on his `star power' to motivate impressionable young Muslims in Canada, regardless of whatever release conditions the court might impose," according to court documents provided by CSIS. Proposed bail conditions include being allowed out of the home three times a week for up to four hours with 48-hours pre-approval, wearing an electric ankle bracelet, having no access to electronic devices, allowing his phone to be tapped and mail opened, and ensuring all visitors are pre-approved. Mahjoub, 46, displayed little emotion as he watched the proceedings by video from the Kingston Immigration Holding Centre, which was built for security certificate detainees and is located at Millhaven Penitentiary. Almrei and Jaballah are also being held there. According to Canada's spy agency, Mahjoub is believed to be part of the Vanguards of Conquest, which is a radical wing of al Jihad, an Egyptian Islamist terrorist group that wants to establish an Islamic state that adheres strictly to sharia law. Both groups have been linked to bin Laden, and al Jihad is suspected of having been involved in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, according to CSIS. Mahjoub denies any links to the terrorist group. Court heard yesterday that he was convicted in Egypt of belonging to the Vanguards of Conquest. Before coming to Canada as an Egyptian refugee in 1995, Mahjoub worked for an agricultural company in Sudan owned by bin Laden and met the Al Qaeda leader several times. Since leaving the company over a wage dispute, Mahjoub says he has had no contact with bin Laden.He has since married a Canadian citizen and fathered two sons. Ottawa issued the security certificate in June 2000. The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration ruled earlier this year that even if Mahjoub were to face torture if deported to Egypt, the risk he poses to Canada outweighs concerns for his safety. That decision was reviewed last month in federal court, but there has been no judgment on the matter. +++ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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