Update to this story. “Canadian guilty in plot to behead prime minister,” by Rob Gillies for AP, September 25:
A Canadian man accused of participating in military exercises and firearms training as part of a group authorities say plotted to storm Parliament and behead the prime minister was found guilty Thursday.
The man’s attorney says the plot was a “jihadi fantasy” and that his client knew nothing about it.
Does this fit in the famous I-was-only-kidding jihadi line of defense?
A judge ruled Thursday that evidence of a terrorist group was “overwhelming.” The man is the first person to be found guilty of a terrorist offense in Canada since the country enacted anti-terrorism laws in 2001.
The arrests of the 18 group members, known as the “Toronto 18,” made headlines around the world and heightened fears in Canada, where people believe they are relatively immune from terrorist strikes.
Prosecutors said there were plans to truck-bomb nuclear power plants and a building housing Canada’s spy service.
Seven of those arrested have since had their charges either withdrawn, or stayed. The trials of 10 adults, including the alleged ringleaders, have yet to begin. The young man was the first to go on trial.[…]
The defense had cast the plot as “musings and fantasies” with no possibility of being carried out.
Read it all.