Latest news with #Al-Sewaiee
Global News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Yemeni terror suspect placed under house arrest at Toronto mosque
A Yemeni arrested as he was allegedly trying to leave Canada to join a Middle East terrorist group has been released on bail to live under house arrest at a Toronto mosque. A copy of an Ontario judge's release order obtained by Global News shows Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee was ordered to 'reside at the mosque' in Toronto's North York district. He is not allowed to leave the mosque except when accompanied, must also wear an ankle monitor, surrender his travel documents and stay 300 metres away from airports and border crossings. The person who posted the $1,000 bond for Al-Sewaiee's release gave a phone number that matches that of the same mosque. Their relationship, if any, was not explained. View image in full screen Profile photo from Facebook page of Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee. Facebook A citizen of Yemen who has appeared at Gaza protests in Toronto, Al-Sewaiee was initially arrested in Mississauga, Ont., by Peel Regional Police on April 15 for uttering threats. Story continues below advertisement Four days later, the RCMP's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested the 32-year-old, alleging he had attempted to leave Canada to join a terrorist organization. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The RCMP did not say which one but sources told Global News it was an Iranian-backed faction. Yemen's Houthis, who have disrupted international shipping, are sponsored by Iran. Al-Sewaiee has not been charged with terrorism. Instead, prosecutors have asked the Ontario court for a terrorism peace bond that would restrict his movements in the name of public safety. He has used an Arabic interpreter in court. His social media accounts show him attending Gaza protests. The charges list his address as a house in Kitchener, Ont., but the homeowner said he had 'mental issues.' As part of his bail conditions, Al-Sewaiee is not allowed to possess weapons and is not allowed to use any devices capable of accessing the internet. He will be arrested if he violates any of the conditions, the order says.
Global News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Yemeni terror suspect arrested in Toronto accused of making threats
A Yemeni citizen arrested in the Toronto area on terrorism allegations has been charged with uttering threats, Global News has learned. Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee was taken into custody on April 19 as he was allegedly preparing to leave Canada to join a terrorist group. But his court file shows that four days before that, he was arrested in Peel Region for uttering threats. Peel Police also confirmed the arrest. The 32-year-old appeared in court for a bail hearing last Thursday. A publication ban prevents news organizations from reporting on the allegations disclosed in court. Sources have told Global News that Al-Sewaiee was trying to join an Iranian-backed terrorist faction. Yemen is the home of the Houthi rebel group Ansarallah. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Houthis are aligned with the Iranian-led 'axis of resistance,' which includes Hamas and Hezbollah, according to the Public Safety Canada website. Story continues below advertisement 'In the context of the Israel-Hamas war, Ansarallah began disruptive strikes on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and other waterways, as well as strikes against Israel,' it said. A missile fired by the Houthis struck near Israel's main airport on Sunday. Israeli forces responded on Monday with air strikes on dozens of Houthi targets. Al-Sewaiee remains in custody. His bail hearing was scheduled to resume on Thursday at the Brampton, Ont., courthouse. The RCMP national security team has asked the court to place Al-Sewaiee under a terrorism peace bond that would protect the public. Terrorism peace bonds impose conditions on suspects such as driving and travel bans, but they do not amount to a criminal charge. Al-Sewaiee has used an Arabic interpreter during his court appearances. His social media accounts show him attending Gaza protests in Canada. The charges list his address as a house in Kitchener, Ont., but the homeowner said he did not live there and had 'mental issues.' Prior to his arrival in Ontario, he appears to have lived in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, where court records show he was cited for a traffic violation in North Vancouver in 2021.
Global News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Yemeni allegedly caught leaving Ontario to join terror group remains in custody
A Yemeni accused of trying to leave Canada to join a terrorist group appeared in court north of Toronto on Thursday for a bail hearing. Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee, 32, was arrested by RCMP national security officers on April 19 and remains in custody. He has not been charged with any crimes. Instead, Crown prosecutors have asked the court for a terrorism peace bond that would restrict his movements in the name of public safety. The RCMP announced the arrest on Friday in a news release that did not name Al-Sewaiee or the terrorist group he is accused of attempting to join. But at a court appearance in Brampton, Ont., a judge ruled he could be publicly identified. Al-Sewaiee required an Arabic interpreter during the proceedings. Story continues below advertisement A publication ban prevents news organizations from reporting on the allegations leveled against Al-Sewaiee at his bail hearing, which continues on May 8. His lawyer Samara Sector declined to comment. On social media accounts, a man with the same name described himself as a self-employed Vancouver-area resident. Recent posts showed him at Toronto's Pearson airport. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He wrote on Facebook that he was from Yemen, where the U.S. military has been conducting air strikes against Houthis that have attacked Israel and commercial ships. Several of his online posts concerned Gaza, and a video appeared to show him at a large demonstration wearing the Yemeni flag like a cape while waving a Palestinian flag. 1:01 Trump orders airstrike on Yemen's Houthi rebels, at least 19 dead According to his court file, obtained by Global News, police have alleged they have reasonable grounds to fear Al-Sewaiee 'may commit a terrorism offense.' Story continues below advertisement No other details were provided but two sources familiar with the case said he is accused of attempting to join an Iranian-backed terrorist faction in the Middle East. The charges list his address as a home in Kitchener, Ont. The owner of the residence said that while Al-Sewaiee was a family friend, he did not live there. 'He's like homeless,' she said. 'I don't know anything about him, I just hear from my husband he seriously has mental issues.' 1:53 Over 60 dead after US strike on migrant detention center in Yemen, local officials say Peace bonds have become a key national security tool for dealing with those who have left, or tried to leave, Canada to join terrorist groups. If upheld by the courts, they impose temporary restrictions on suspects such as ankle monitors and driving bans intended to limit the risks of an attack. Story continues below advertisement But they have not always worked. Winnipeg resident Aaron Driver was placed on a terrorism peace bond to stop him from leaving Canada to join ISIS. He nonetheless built a suicide bomb, which he detonated in 2016 when police surrounded him as he was leaving his Ontario home to conduct an attack. More recently, most of the Canadian ISIS women who have returned from Syria have been placed on terrorism peace bonds but not charged.
