Montreal Man arrested for terrorism hoax

Yesterday, an investigation conducted by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) resulted in charges being laid under section 83.231 of the Criminal Code against an individual who allegedly perpetrated a hoax regarding terrorist activity. If found guilty, Murad Hossain, a 50-year-old Montreal resident, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. Mr. Hossain also faces a charge of public mischief.

In actual fact, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) and John Abbott College received, on May 15, 2009, a letter warning of a potential terrorist attack against the educational institution by a group of Pakistani students. The investigation showed that the alleged threat against John Abbott College, located in the Montréal area, was unfounded, and was actually a hoax resulting from a single isolated action. Moreover, no connection could be established between the accused and any known terrorist entity.