Montreal teenager charged in terror case faces new charge of assaulting a peace officer: Crown

MONTREAL — A 17-year-old boy who allegedly intended to carry out an attack on behalf of the Islamic State is facing a new charge of assaulting a peace officer.

Federal prosecutor Marc Cigana told reporters at Montreal’s youth court that the alleged assault occurred at RCMP headquarters in Westmount, Que., after the teen was arrested on Aug. 20.

“The charge is a charge of assaulting a police officer in the performance of his duties, causing bodily harm,” said Cigana.

The charge states that the officer suffered bodily harm.

The youth, who cannot be named because he is a minor, is also facing charges of providing or making available property or services for terrorist purposes; participating in the activity of a terrorist group; and facilitating a terrorist activity.

“We’re talking about terrorism offenses, more specifically gathering or collecting goods,” said Cigana. “We call it financing terrorism, gathering, collecting goods for the purpose of committing a terrorist activity. Facilitating terrorist activity and participating in a terrorist group and that was the Islamic State.”

He appeared in court on Friday, surrounded by three security guards. He remained impassive and stared straight ahead during the brief hearing, while his mother sat in the audience.

Prosecutor Cigana said he would seek that the teenager be convicted as an adult on all charges if convicted. The young man faces a much heavier sentence than the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

“Those charges are serious enough that we believe that it was the opportune decision to seek an adult and the judge will decide if there’s going to be found guilty or if he’s guilty, there would be a hearing to determine if in fact he will be treated as an adult at the sentence stage,” said Cigana.

Defence lawyer Tiago Murias has asked Judge Éric Beauparlant for more time to prepare his client’s case, which includes developing a plan for a possible release. Murias said he is still waiting for the Crown to disclose the evidence against his client, including “a very specific element that the defence wants to obtain before taking a position on anything.”

The lawyer did not speak to reporters after the hearing.

The prosecutor explained that the Crown opposed the release of the teenager, fearing that he would not appear in court and that he could commit another crime.

The RCMP said its investigation began in April.

Police had previously said the youth had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and was willing to carry out at least one attack on behalf of the terror group. According to law enforcement, he intended to acquire weapons, such as AK-47s, for the attack and made comments on social media “indicating that he wanted to attack various groups of people,” RCMP Cpl. Érique Gasse reported earlier this month.

Psychiatrist Dr. Cécile Rousseau, also a McGill University professor who specializes in radicalization, says that young people are becoming increasingly interested in different forms of extremism as is alleged in this case.

“What we see presently in young boys in Quebec, but also in the rest of Canada, is an attraction for simple message, certainties and solution,” said Rousseau. “Who provide those certainty? Well, extreme right organization, Atomwaffen organization, white supremacist, but also religious extremism. They all say we have the answer.”

The case will return to court on September 12.

—With files from The Canadian Press

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews