Toronto 18 terror plotter denied full parole
Shareef Abdelhaleem, one of the Toronto 18 terror plotters who tried to detonate large bombs in 2006, has been denied full parole despite his gregarious chat with parole board officials.
His day parole in a halfway house in Montreal has been continued for six months.
“It was the opinion of the Board that the seriousness of your actions and their potentially devastating nature called for caution,” the Parole Board of Canada said in its decision, released late Wednesday afternoon.
“The Board concludes that you will present an undue risk to society and your release will not contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen on full parole.”
Abdelhaleem, 46, is serving a life sentence imposed in 2011 for commission of an offence for a terrorist group and participation in an activity of a terrorist group. He was precluded from seeking parole for 10 years.
He was one of 18 people arrested in national security raids in 2006, accused of a terrorist plot to detonate powerful truck bombs at the Toronto Stock Exchange, a Canadian military base, and Canada's spy agency.
He was released on day parole 14 ½ months ago.
On Tuesday, he talked with two members of the Parole Board of Canada in his bid for full parole.
He is considered low risk to re-engage with violent extremist activities.
“Your family members support you in your social reintegration, and you maintain employment,” the parole board said.
“However, you are still struggling with adjustments to the community and work has to be done in developing skills to reach full autonomy. More specifically, you need to work in the areas of self-esteem, sense of belonging, fear of displeasing others, and a need for approval.
“You do not demonstrate any radical thinking on any subjects, but you appear to be sensitive to injustice in the world.”
The board noted his positive progress.
“You generally did well in incarceration and since your return to the community. You have shown your capacity to respect rules as well as your special conditions and have been able to work with your caseworkers in what appears to be an open and transparent manner.”
The board lifted a restriction prohibiting him from going to Toronto without approval. He has had eight or nine approved weekend visits to Toronto to visit his family without any problems.
Three others restrictions remain: to follow a deradicalization treatment plan, not to be in a position of responsibility in spiritual or religious activities, and not to associate with anyone involved in crime or radicalized activity.