Latest news with #PearsonInternationalAirport
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
WARMINGTON: Man on bail at Toronto mosque faces accusation of fear of terrorism
Days before the RCMP picked up a Kitchener man believed to be planning to travel abroad to join an international terror organization, he was arrested at Pearson International Airport for allegedly making death threats to police officers, the Toronto Sun has learned. Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee, who has lived in Canada for a number of years but is originally from Yemen, was charged on April 15 after allegedly uttering threats toward officers and released on an undertaking to appear at a later date in court for that allegation. A Peel Regional Police spokesperson confirmed 'the information we have is the individual was arrested by PRP on April 15th for uttering threats' and was charged. These charges have yet to be tested in court. A court date on the uttering threats charge has not yet been set. No weapons were seized and no one was hurt in the incident at the airport. It's unclear if Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee was at Pearson as part of his alleged plan to leave Canada. But what is clear is 'red flags went off' when he was detained there after a confrontation where 'utterances' were allegedly made and that information was shared with federal authorities. WARMINGTON: While it was not a terror attack at a Toronto university, students say they felt terrorized WARMINGTON: Like the Middle East, Toronto's 'Little Gaza' is separated by fence This incident occurred nine days before the deadly police shooting of a man at Pearson – something now being probed by the province's Special Investigations Unit. Needless to say, it has been a difficult year at the airport for police. 'Our officers were not physically harmed, acted very professionally and arranged for the man to be taken to hospital for a mental health assessment,' Peel Regional Police Association President Adrian Woolley said. 'At this point, this is a matter in the hands of investigators.' Four days after Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee was arrested at Pearson, on April 19, he was before a Brampton court facing what court documents say is an application for a peace bond under Section Number 810.01ccc, of the Criminal Code of Canada which is granted for a 'fear of terrorism offence' where 'a person who fears on reasonable grounds that another person may commit a terrorism offence may, with the Attorney General's consent, lay an information before a provincial court judge.' Al-Sewaiee is not facing any terrorism charges. His case has also not been tested in court and police say this is an open file that remains under investigation. But court documents show the 32-year-old, who has told people he was soon to become a Canadian citizen and who has been seen at pro-Gaza protests in Toronto since the Oct. 7th slaughter in Israel, has been held over in a special arrangement approved by the court to reside under bail conditions at a North Toronto mosque after an approved surety posted a $1,000 bond. The conditions state he can only leave the mosque 'when you are in the company of your surety' or with 'written permission' for specific purposes including going to court or for medical reasons. He also can't be 'within 300 metres of any airport or Candian border' and he had to 'surrender' his 'passport or travel documents.' B'nai Brith Canada declined to comment on the court proceedings in this matter. But on the overall concern of potential danger to Canadians, they have expressed deep concern. 'Our federal government must address the dangerous weaknesses plaguing Canada's immigration and national security systems,' B'nai Brith Director of Research and Advocacy Richard Robertson said. 'Those who demonstrate signs of, or appear to have a predisposition towards, radicalization should never be permitted to enter our country let alone to obtain citizenship. Urgent action is needed to stop the spread of radicalization.' Meir Weinstein, of Israel Now, also declined comment on the bail arrangement but did say, 'I recognize him from pro-Palestine protests' but 'have no recollection of having any issues or problems with him.' 'We are reviewing our photographs and videos and will work with law enforcement if they need any help,' he added. Ontario's office of the Attorney General has not so far commented on this move by the court. But in light of alleged threats against police, as well as fear of terrorism, it would be good to know from Attorney General Doug Downey if the accused man's bail conditions can be reviewed in the interest of ensuring public safety. This seems like uncharted legal and justice waters. It's unknown if a person before the courts on the fear or terrorism, or any serious criminal allegation, has ever been released on bail to a place of worship before. Is this the appropriate place to house somebody before the courts on such serious matters? Sources say it was felt this was the best option available for the court since it did not want to have him under house arrest at a previous Kitchener address. Several police officers told the Sun there is curiosity if this move to send a person before the courts to reside at a mosque sets a precedent that could see this being requested in future cases. This mosque is not a stand-alone structure but in a complex with other businesses and appears to have both a prayer hall and an apartment as part of it. Calls to the mosque for comment were unsuccessful. But, sources say, police bail compliance professionals will do compliance reviews like they do with anybody released on bail conditions. For now, this is where this man accused of fear of terrorism and uttering threats to police calls home. jwarmington@
Toronto Sun
16-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: Man on bail at Toronto mosque faces accusation of fear of terrorism
The 32-year-old Yemeni man is also accused of uttering death threats to cops at Pearson airport Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox A facebook photo of a man accusations of fear of terrorism and uttering threats to police at Pearson airport. Photo by Supplied Days before the RCMP picked up a Kitchener man believed to be planning to travel abroad to join an international terror organization, he was arrested at Pearson International Airport for allegedly making death threats to police officers, the Toronto Sun has learned. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee, who has lived in Canada for a number of years but is originally from Yemen, was charged on April 15 after allegedly uttering threats toward officers and released on an undertaking to appear at a later date in court for that allegation. A Peel Regional Police spokesperson confirmed 'the information we have is the individual was arrested by PRP on April 15th for uttering threats' and was charged. These charges have yet to be tested in court. A court date on the uttering threats charge has not yet been set. No weapons were seized and no one was hurt in the incident at the airport. It's unclear if Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee was at Pearson as part of his alleged plan to leave Canada. But what is clear is 'red flags went off' when he was detained there after a confrontation where 'utterances' were allegedly made and that information was shared with federal authorities. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More This incident occurred nine days before the deadly police shooting of a man at Pearson – something now being probed by the province's Special Investigations Unit. Needless to say, it has been a difficult year at the airport for police. 'Our officers were not physically harmed, acted very professionally and arranged for the man to be taken to hospital for a mental health assessment,' Peel Regional Police Association President Adrian Woolley said. 'At this point, this is a matter in the hands of investigators.' Four days after Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee was arrested at Pearson, on April 19, he was before a Brampton court facing what court documents say is an application for a peace bond under Section Number 810.01ccc, of the Criminal Code of Canada which is granted for a 'fear of terrorism offence' where 'a person who fears on reasonable grounds that another person may commit a terrorism offence may, with the Attorney General's consent, lay an information before a provincial court judge.' Al-Sewaiee is not facing any terrorism charges. His case has also not been tested in court and police say this is an open file that remains under investigation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The @rcmpgrcpolice have arrested a Yemeni man, Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee, who is accused of trying to leave Canada to join a terrorist group. Husam Taha Ali Al-Sewaiee has also previously posted to his social media, posts that have revolved around Gaza, and a video has also… — HonestReporting Canada🎗️ (@HonestRepCanada) May 2, 2025 But court documents show the 32-year-old, who has told people he was soon to become a Canadian citizen and who has been seen at pro-Gaza protests in Toronto since the Oct. 7th slaughter in Israel, has been held over in a special arrangement approved by the court to reside under bail conditions at a North Toronto mosque after an approved surety posted a $1,000 bond. The conditions state he can only leave the mosque 'when you are in the company of your surety' or with 'written permission' for specific purposes including going to court or for medical reasons. He also can't be 'within 300 metres of any airport or Candian border' and he had to 'surrender' his 'passport or travel documents.' A facebook photo of a man accusations of fear of terrorism and uttering threats to police at Pearson airport. Photo by Supplied B'nai Brith Canada declined to comment on the court proceedings in this matter. But on the overall concern of potential danger to Canadians, they have expressed deep concern. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Our federal government must address the dangerous weaknesses plaguing Canada's immigration and national security systems,' B'nai Brith Director of Research and Advocacy Richard Robertson said. 'Those who demonstrate signs of, or appear to have a predisposition towards, radicalization should never be permitted to enter our country let alone to obtain citizenship. Urgent action is needed to stop the spread of radicalization.' Meir Weinstein, of Israel Now, also declined comment on the bail arrangement but did say, 'I recognize him from pro-Palestine protests' but 'have no recollection of having any issues or problems with him.' 'We are reviewing our photographs and videos and will work with law enforcement if they need any help,' he added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ontario's office of the Attorney General has not so far commented on this move by the court. But in light of alleged threats against police, as well as fear of terrorism, it would be good to know from Attorney General Doug Downey if the accused man's bail conditions can be reviewed in the interest of ensuring public safety. This is the court document outlining the bail conditions for a Yemini man who is being held for fear of terrorism and for allegedly threatening Peel cops. This seems like uncharted legal and justice waters. It's unknown if a person before the courts on the fear or terrorism, or any serious criminal allegation, has ever been released on bail to a place of worship before. Is this the appropriate place to house somebody before the courts on such serious matters? Sources say it was felt this was the best option available for the court since it did not want to have him under house arrest at a previous Kitchener address. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Several police officers told the Sun there is curiosity if this move to send a person before the courts to reside at a mosque sets a precedent that could see this being requested in future cases. This mosque is not a stand-alone structure but in a complex with other businesses and appears to have both a prayer hall and an apartment as part of it. Calls to the mosque for comment were unsuccessful. But, sources say, police bail compliance professionals will do compliance reviews like they do with anybody released on bail conditions. For now, this is where this man accused of fear of terrorism and uttering threats to police calls home. jwarmington@
Ottawa Citizen
15-05-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Getaway driver in Pearson airport heist pleads guilty to new U.S. gun charge
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Canadian man who drove the getaway truck in the biggest gold theft in Canadian history has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge after he sneaked into the United States, where he was caught trying to smuggle out 65 guns, authorities said Wednesday. Article content Article content Durante King-Mclean faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court in Pennsylvania, authorities said. King-Mclean, who was arrested in 2023, had been facing six illegal weapons charges before he pleaded guilty to one of the charges. Article content Article content Article content At least 10 people have been charged by Canadian and U.S. authorities in connection with the guns and the heist of a cargo container from Toronto's Pearson International Airport two years ago. Article content In the stolen cargo container were 6,600 gold bars worth more than $20 million, as well as $2.5 million in foreign currencies, authorities said. Article content Police said the 6,600 gold bars were melted down in a Toronto jewelry store and sold, and the proceeds used to purchase the firearms in the U.S. Article content King-Mclean, of Ontario, was the truck driver who picked up the gold from the airport cargo terminal, authorities say. Article content King-Mclean sneaked illegally into the United States and had been staying in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until he rented the vehicle and drove north toward Canada with the illegal handguns, authorities said. Article content He was arrested in Pennsylvania five months after the heist following a traffic stop with the 65 illegal firearms that were destined to be smuggled into Canada, authorities said. King-Mclean tried to flee Pennsylvania State Police troopers after they discovered the firearms — each concealed in a sock — in his rental car, authorities said. Article content Two of the firearms were fully automatic, 11 were stolen and one had an obliterated serial number, authorities said. Article content
Vancouver Sun
15-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Getaway driver in Pearson airport heist pleads guilty to new U.S. gun charge
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Canadian man who drove the getaway truck in the biggest gold theft in Canadian history has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge after he sneaked into the United States, where he was caught trying to smuggle out 65 guns, authorities said Wednesday. Durante King-Mclean faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court in Pennsylvania, authorities said. King-Mclean, who was arrested in 2023, had been facing six illegal weapons charges before he pleaded guilty to one of the charges. King-Mclean's lawyer did not immediately comment. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. At least 10 people have been charged by Canadian and U.S. authorities in connection with the guns and the heist of a cargo container from Toronto's Pearson International Airport two years ago. In the stolen cargo container were 6,600 gold bars worth more than $20 million, as well as $2.5 million in foreign currencies, authorities said. Police said the 6,600 gold bars were melted down in a Toronto jewelry store and sold, and the proceeds used to purchase the firearms in the U.S. King-Mclean, of Ontario, was the truck driver who picked up the gold from the airport cargo terminal, authorities say. King-Mclean sneaked illegally into the United States and had been staying in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until he rented the vehicle and drove north toward Canada with the illegal handguns, authorities said. He was arrested in Pennsylvania five months after the heist following a traffic stop with the 65 illegal firearms that were destined to be smuggled into Canada, authorities said. King-Mclean tried to flee Pennsylvania State Police troopers after they discovered the firearms — each concealed in a sock — in his rental car, authorities said. Two of the firearms were fully automatic, 11 were stolen and one had an obliterated serial number, authorities said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
14-05-2025
Man who allegedly drove a truck in Canada's biggest-ever gold theft pleads guilty to U.S. gun charge
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A Canadian man who drove the getaway truck in the biggest gold theft in Canadian history has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge after he sneaked into the United States, where he was caught trying to smuggle out 65 guns, authorities said Wednesday. Durante King-Mclean faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court in Pennsylvania, authorities said. King-Mclean, who was arrested in 2023, had been facing six illegal weapons charges before he pleaded guilty to one of the charges. King-Mclean's lawyer did not immediately comment. At least 10 people have been charged by Canadian and U.S. authorities in connection with the guns and the heist of a cargo container from Toronto's Pearson International Airport two years ago. In the stolen cargo container were 6,600 gold bars worth more than 20 million Canadian dollars ($14.5 million) and CA$2.5 million ($1.8 million) in foreign currencies, authorities said. Police said the 6,600 gold bars were melted down in a Toronto jewelry store and sold, and the proceeds used to purchase the firearms in the U.S. King-Mclean, of Ontario, was the truck driver who picked up the gold from the airport cargo terminal, authorities say. King-Mclean sneaked illegally into the United States and had been staying in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until he rented the vehicle and drove north toward Canada with the illegal handguns, authorities said. He was arrested in Pennsylvania five months after the heist following a traffic stop with the 65 illegal firearms that were destined to be smuggled into Canada, authorities said. King-Mclean tried to flee Pennsylvania State Police troopers after they discovered the firearms — each concealed in a sock — in his rental car, authorities said. Two of the firearms were fully automatic, 11 were stolen and one had an obliterated serial number, authorities said.
