The son charged in the father-and-son Toronto terror plot now has a lawyer.
Mostafa Eldidi, 26, made a brief court appearance by video from the Central East Correctional Centre and informed the Newmarket court that Nate Jackson will be representing him.
“I look forward to vigorously defending Mostafa Eldidi’s innocence,” Jackson told the Sun in an email.
Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, appeared shortly after his son but has yet to retain a lawyer. He will return Friday in person to speak with Legal Aid, said Justice of the Peace Linda Debartolo.
The Scarborough duo are under a court order not to communicate with each other.
They were arrested two weeks ago in a Richmond Hill hotel room and face a total of nine terrorism charges, including conspiracy to commit murder on behalf of Islamic State.
RCMP Supt. James Parr told reporters the plot targeted an “unspecified” community in Toronto and was in “an advanced stage of planning.”
“I wouldn’t call it imminent, but it was close,” Parr said.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
The Eldidis had been under investigation since early July by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team and were arrested by an RCMP tactical team after they allegedly acquired an axe and a machete for the benefit of Islamic State.
According to Global News, they allegedly recorded a video while wielding the blades before an Islamic State flag.
The father faces five terror-related charges, including possessing an axe for the benefit of the terror group and aggravated assault outside of Canada at the direction of Islamic State in 2015.
Global News reported that latter charge relates to an Islamic State propaganda video in which he allegedly uses a sword to dismember a prisoner.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he plans to look into whether the elder Eldidi should have his Canadian citizenship revoked.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said last week that his department and the immigration department have launched an internal review regarding the case.