Man who joined Islamic State pleads guilty to terror charges

`I didn't know better,' says Calgarian who helped kidnap people in Syria

A man who pleaded guilty to terrorism-related activities with the militant group Islamic State has told a judge he didn't know better.

Hussein Borhot, 36, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of participating in terrorism group activity between May 9, 2014, and June 7, 2014, and the commission of the offence of kidnapping for a terrorist group while in Syria.

RCMP arrested him in July 2020 after a seven-year investigation.

An agreed statement of facts read in a Calgary courtroom said Borhot travelled to Syria through Turkey to join the Islamic State. He signed up as a fighter, received substantial training and excelled as a sniper.

He did not tell his wife about the trip, said the document.

Court heard that Borhot revealed much of the information to an undercover officer after he returned to Canada.

Borhot told the officer that he and some other Islamic State fighters travelled to a village where they kidnapped a number of opposing fighters, said the document.

He also said he had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State and expressed a desire to return and fight in Syria.

When asked by Court of Queen's Bench Justice David Labrenz whether the facts were correct, he replied that they were, but said, “I didn't know better.”

Borhot had been free on bail with strict conditions, including wearing ankle-tracking devices, not applying for travel documents, and heeding a ban on having firearms, ammunition or explosives.

A four-week trial was to begin Nov. 21. The case will be back in court May 26 to set a date for sentencing.

Borhot's cousin, Jamal Borhot, is also accused of joining the Islamic State and faces three counts of participating in terrorist group activity. He had a trial date scheduled for October, but is now searching for a new lawyer. He is to return to court May 13.