Subject of terrorism probe called ‘ typical guy’

Two different pictures emerged Wednesday of a Prince Edward Island university student who is the target of a national security probe.

In the eyes of the Mounties, Seyed Amir Hossein Raisolsadat was on the verge of committing a terrorism offence, which is why they say they made the rare move of asking for a peace bond to limit his movements.

But friends and acquaintances chalk it up to one big misunderstanding, saying that Raisolsadat, 20, is a smart young man from a good- mannered family and not capable of violence.

The RCMP would not divulge how Raisolsadat came to the attention of police, or what activities they suspect he was involved in. But it appears that the investigation has been in motion for a while.

A friend, who asked not to be identified, said police came to him about a year ago to ask questions about Raisolsadat.

“They asked the same things you’re asking me now,” the friend, who went to Colonel Gray High School with Raisolsadat, said Wednesday.

The friend said Raisolsadat gets good grades and has a passion for chemistry. He can be a bit of a braggart at times, someone who likes to “act tough” and talk politics. “But he’s not a military person, he’s not a terrorist — just a typical guy,” the friend said.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Greg Cox said Wednesday that police will “pursue an application for a ( court) order to keep the peace and be of good behaviour if they have reasonable grounds to believe that a person may commit a terrorism offence.”

Court documents show that Raisolsadat was released Tuesday on the condition that he remain in the province, abstain from possessing a firearm and report weekly to the RCMP headquarters in Charlottetown. He is due back in court on April 20.

“Peace bonds are meant to be a more flexible tool so that you don’t end up putting someone behind bars who shouldn’t be put behind bars,” said Wesley Wark, a professor at the University of Ottawa and national security expert.

The Conservative government’s latest anti- terrorism legislation, Bill C- 51, would make it easier for police to obtain peace bonds.

An online dating profile for Raisolsadat says he is a permanent resident from Iran.

Siavash Samei, president of the UPEI Iranian Society, said in an email he was shocked to learn of Raisolsadat’s arrest.

“In my personal knowledge, he is a good boy from a good, educated family.”