Suspects plead not guilty in terrorism case

BRAMPTON, ONTARIO - The men charged in a plot to attack the Parliament Buildings and Ontario nuclear and electrical targets pleaded not guilty as their trial got underway in Brampton, Ont.

This trial is about Fahim Ahmad and the men who helped him, said Crown prosecutor Iona Jaffe in her opening remarks.

Ahmad, 25, along with Asad Ansari, 25, and Steven Chand, 29, face charges of participating in an alleged homegrown terrorist group.

Ahmad is also charged with instructing people to carry out activities for a terrorist group and a weapons offence.

Chand also faces a charge of committing fraud over $5,000 for the benefit of a terrorist group.

In laying out the Crowns case, Jaffe told the jury consisting of five women and seven men that she will call as many as 11 witnesses — most of them police officers.

The jury will also hear at least 70 wiretap conversations, Jaffe said. In some of the conversations, Jaffe said, Ahmad discusses his intention to attack targets in Ontario — among them nuclear plants, electrical installations and the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.

Jaffe said evidence will also be presented showing that in December 2005 Ahmad led a training camp north of Toronto for the purpose of training people to carry out terror attacks. Jaffe said the court will also hear that Ahmad boasted of having AK47 and M16 assault rifles on order.

A total of 18 people were arrested in June 2006 and charged with terrorismrelated offences.