Trudeau faces criticism as former ISIS fighter admits to executing prisoner
Posted May 11, 2018 1:45 pm.
Last Updated May 11, 2018 7:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – The federal opposition is calling on the Trudeau government and police to arrest a former ISIS fighting who has reportedly returned to Canada after he told the New York Times he committed an execution on behalf of the terrorist group.
The man, who calls himself Abu Huzaifa al-Kanadi, although that’s not his real name, and identified himself as Canadian, describes in detail on the New York Times’ podcast caliphate, how he executed a prisoner when he was fighting with the group in Syria.
“He should be arrested today. He should not be on the streets of Toronto.,” Conservative House leader Candice Bergen said. “The Prime Minister needs to hold this ISIS terrorist to account.”
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says he’s aware of the podcast, but wouldn’t discuss any other details.
“I don’t comment on any operational detail,” he said, adding law enforcement agencies are doing their jobs. “(They are) taking all of the measures that are necessary to keep Canadians safe.”
The federal government has established a centre to fund research and programs to stop radicalization and help people leave extremist groups, although the Conservatives have scorned its efforts as little more than poetry lessons for terrorists.
The government says it has a host of other counter-terrorism tools for returnees, including surveillance, criminal investigations, peace bonds, and the revoking of passports.
