Man acquitted in military centre stabbing

TORONTO — A man with schizophrenia who attacked soldiers at a military recruitment centre in Toronto has been acquitted of terror-related charges and found not criminally responsible for lesser offences due to mental illness.

Judge Ian MacDonnell says Ayanle Hassan Ali’s actions in May 2016 do not fit the intended scope of Canadian terrorism laws.

Ali had pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of assault causing bodily harm and one count of carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, all for the benefit or at the direction of a terror organization.

His lawyers had argued that because he committed his actions alone and had never been in contact with any terror groups, he should be found not guilty on the terror charges. They also argued he should be found not criminally responsible for the lesser included offences of attempted murder, assault and weapons offences.

MacDonnell said he agreed with two psychiatrists who testified at trial that Ali should be found not criminally responsible.

The prosecution argued that Canadian terror laws could apply to Ali because he acted as a “terrorist group of one.”

The judge ruled against the Crown’s argument, saying the federal government’s intention behind terrorism laws must be taken into account.

The 2016 incident at left at least two soldiers with minor injuries.