Case postponed for Montreal teens facing terrorism charges

MONTREAL – A Montreal couple facing terrorism-related charges will return to court Monday when a date for a bail hearing may be set.

The case involving El Mahdi Jamali and Sabrine Djermane was postponed Friday to allow defence lawyers to consult evidence they received.

The two have pleaded not guilty to four charges: attempting to leave Canada to commit an terrorist act abroad; possession of an explosive substance; facilitating a terrorist act; and committing an act under the direction or for the profit of a terrorist organization.

Jamali appeared before a judge Friday while Djermane was represented by her lawyer.

Federal prosecutor Richard Roy said the Crown will oppose bail, arguing the accused should be held because they are flight risks and a danger to the public.

“There will be further disclosure, but it is our opinion that the defence do have in their possession, at least at this stage of the proceedings, (enough evidence) to fix a time and a date for a bail hearing,” Roy said.

The Crown declined to discuss the case further, suggesting the defence would likely request a publication ban on the evidence at any eventual bail hearing.

Before charges were laid Monday, their arrests were described as a “preventive measure” because authorities feared they would commit a terrorism-related offence.

An RCMP statement said the short investigation was triggered by a tip from the community while Radio-Canada reported Thursday it was Djermane’s sister who tipped police off about an alleged plot.