Accused terror plotter demands ‘holy’ judgment
TORONTO — A suspected Tunisian terrorist accused of plotting to derail a Via Rail passenger train said Thursday he wanted to be judged by the “holy book” rather than a “book written by humans.”
Appearing in court by video link, Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, once again expressed disdain for the Criminal Code as his case was adjourned until June 3 to allow time for him to find a lawyer.
“I have agreed to have a lawyer, no problem, but I wish that this lawyer will co-operate with me,” he said. “I need the holy book as a reference for my judgment. I don’t want a book written by humans.”
His co-accused, 35-yearold Raed Jaser, also made a brief appearance and was scheduled to return to court on June 25. Both remain in custody, along with a third suspect held in the United States on related charges.
Esseghaier has repeatedly used court appearances to make statements implying he does not respect Canadian laws because they are a man-made “creation.”
Esseghaier and Jaser were arrested April 22 after an eight-month RCMP investigation. They are charged with conspiracy to commit murder in association with a terrorist group. Police said the pair had received guidance from al-Qaida in Iran as they developed plans to kill passengers on a New York-to-Toronto train. Ahmed Abassi, 26, a former Quebec resident facing charges in the U.S., allegedly radicalized Esseghaier.
Esseghaier is a graduate student who has been living in Quebec. Jaser is a Palestinian who was born in the United Arab Emirates and recently became a permanent resident after securing pardons for criminal convictions.