Couple facing terrorism-related charges await decision on bail

Quebec court Judge Robert Sansfaçon is expected to decide on Tuesday whether a young couple charged with preparing to commit a crime for a terrorist organization should be freed on bail.

The judge announced on Wednesday he will take a week to deliberate on whether Sabrine Djermane, 19 and El Mahdi Jama- li, 18, both of Montreal, should be granted bail while their cases are pending. They are charged with attempting to leave Canada with the goal of committing a crime in another country, being in possession of an explosive substance, facilitating a terrorist activity and committing a criminal act for the benefit or under the direction of a terrorist group by having an explosive substance under their control. A conviction under the last charge carries a maximum life sentence.

Prosecutor Lyne Décarie closed out the bail hearing Wednesday by making final arguments that lasted more than 90 minutes. She was preceded by defence lawyers Charles Benmouyal (representing Djermane) and Louis-Alexandre Martin (who is acting as co-counsel with Josie-Anne Marinier while they represent Jamali).

Sansfaçon heard evidence over the course of four days at the Montreal courthouse. All of the evidence is currently under a publication ban.

The Crown presented one witness, RCMP investigator Sgt. Mathieu Doyon, and the defence presented 11 people, including the parents of both accused, who testified in support of the release of the Collège de Maisonneuve students who were arrested on April 14.

Initially the Mounties sought only to have the couple agree to a peace bond, through which a person can agree to follow a series of conditions imposed by a court order to avoid a prison sentence.

A peace bond is not a criminal charge and is based on allegations that a police force, in this case the RCMP, has reasonable grounds to suspect someone might commit a crime in the future. The criminal charges were filed five days after the couple was arrested.