[R-G] RCMP agent concedes key role in set-up, running of terrorist training camp

[Richard Menec]

(Our taxpayer dollars at work....)

<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090131.wterror31/EmailBNStory/National/>

RCMP agent concedes key role in set-up, running of terrorist training camp

COLIN FREEZE

Globe and Mail Update

January 31, 2009 at 2:11 AM EST

BRAMPTON, ONT. - Mubin Shaikh always had the makings of becoming the great 
Canadian spy.

In his teens, he was a drill sergeant in the cadets. While still in his 
early 20s, he started volunteering information to the Canadian Security 
Intelligence Service. A few years ago, at age 30, the Canadian-born Muslim 
was publicly advocating for sharia law while privately making $1,500 a month 
for informing on Islamic extremists.

He submitted an application to be a CSIS intelligence officer, but was not 
upset when turned down.

"I was happy it did not work out," Mr. Shaikh, now 33, testified Friday in a 
Brampton court. "I was interested in a more central role."

Defence lawyers put him on the stand Friday alleging he played a central 
role - and then some - in unfurling Canada's most high-profile terrorism 
conspiracy. Calling Mr. Shaikh an "agent provocateur" they suggested that, 
in the cause of fighting terrorism, he committed terrorist offences himself.

Ten adults have yet to face trial in the 2006 conspiracy, whose key elements 
now notoriously involve a winter training camp, an alleged bomb plot and 
some chatter by would-be jihadists about storming Parliament and beheading 
politicians.

While trials are far off for the people accused of being the ringleaders, a 
young man whose case was peripheral, but proceeded faster, was found guilty 
last fall of being part of a terrorist group. The landmark verdict was 
hailed as an important bellwether for the wider case and test of Canada's 
counterterrorism laws.

The conviction has not technically been registered, pending the outcome of 
the defence's abuse-of-process motion to have the charges stayed.

The defence has argued this week that without Mubin Shaikh, there would have 
been no terrorist conspiracy.

The young man's lawyers called Mr. Shaikh this week to recap his work 
infiltrating a group of young extremists, first as a CSIS informant, but 
ultimately as a police agent. Posing as a committed jihadist, he gave the 
group tips on countersurveillance, led paramilitary training exercises, and 
even bought a rifle for a ringleader (before getting rid of it, unfired).

"I thought that if the RCMP didn't tell me I couldn't do it, I inferred that 
I could do it," Mr. Shaikh testified.

But Mitchell Chernovsky, the lawyer for the defendant, now 21, plans to 
argue that the police agent committed more illegal acts than his client, 
found guilty of participating in terrorist training led by Mr. Shaikh. The 
lawyer is arguing that police agents cannot commit crimes to unfurl wider 
conspiracies - at least not unless special strictures are followed.

Beyond, that Mr. Chernovsky suggests, federal agents have a moral obligation 
not to entrap vulnerable youth. "Did you ever tell anyone clearly and 
unambiguously terrorism was wrong," he asked Mr. Shaikh.

The agent replied, "not so much." The voluble witness agreed he played his 
role "to the hilt," becoming a mentor, a role model and drill sergeant to 
young recruits. Unlike ringleaders whom he said were demonstrably dangerous, 
he characterized the younger recruits as sheep who were easily manipulated.

Regardless, "I could not come out and say terrorism is against Islam. . I 
had to play my role," Mr. Shaikh said.

He added that he tried to drop hints aimed at turning the teen away from 
terrorism, at least when no one else was watching.

"I liken it to the breadcrumbs of Hansel and Gretel," he said. "I tried to 
leave a trail where I could."

Charges were stayed long ago against other teenagers who were accused of 
peripheral involvement. The youth at hand, a zealous convert arrested 
shortly before his 18th birthday, remains the only non-adult offender before 
the courts.

A publication ban shields the identity of all accused.

Mr. Shaikh testified that he understood himself to be a police agent at the 
time he led training exercises. This is an important distinction for the 
legal argument, and it's anticipated that next week, Crown witnesses, 
including Mr. Shaikh's police and CSIS handlers, will try to rebut it.

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