An Ottawa teenager has been found guilty of terrorism charges for plotting to kill as many Jewish people as possible, a case that has drawn international attention. The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified due to his age, was convicted on Wednesday by Ontario Superior Court Justice Ian Carter.
Guilty Verdict and Conspiracy Charges
The youth pleaded not guilty to four charges but admitted to a statement of facts and invited the court to find him guilty. This legal strategy preserves his right to appeal the pretrial exclusion of certain evidence and the guilty findings. Carter found him guilty of conspiracy to commit murder through involvement with a terrorist group, as well as facilitating terrorist activity by possessing explosive substances such as acetone, an oxidizer, and metal ball bearings.
The statement of facts revealed that the teen was inspired by the Islamic State terror group and planned, along with others, to carry out a terrorist attack in Ottawa targeting Jewish people. The plan included the use of homemade pressure cooker bombs in a suicide assault.
Israel's Consul General Weighs In
Israel's Consul General in Toronto, Idit Shamir, commented on the case via social media. She wrote, "Guilty. The teenager who planned to murder as many Jews as possible in Ottawa was found guilty. A Canadian court has confirmed what the Jewish community knew before the arrest, before the ball bearings, before the acetone: that the threat was real."
Second Co-Accused Faces Trial
On Thursday, a separate trial began for a second youth co-accused in the plot. The 17-year-old, arrested in February 2024 and also protected by a publication ban, pleaded not guilty to terrorism-related charges. Crown prosecutor Kelly Reitsma outlined the case, stating that the second youth conspired with his co-accused and an unindicted individual to commit murder. The Crown alleges his role was to assist by seeking to acquire a prohibited firearm, possibly an Uzi.
"Though there will be evidence that the specific plan changed over time, their intent remained the same: to kill as many Jewish persons as possible in support of the Islamic State," Reitsma said. She added that while the first youth believed in martyrdom, the second did not wish to die for the cause.
Sentencing and Next Steps
The trial for the second youth continues. A four-day sentencing hearing will be scheduled for the first youth, with the Crown seeking an adult sentence. The case has sparked discussions about terrorism prevention and the safety of Jewish communities in Canada.
