'Extremely serious': Calgary man involved in terrorism activity sentenced to 12 years
A man who admitted to terrorism-related acts with the militant group Islamic State has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Hussein Borhot, 36, appeared Thursday before Court of Queen's Bench Justice David Labrenz for a sentencing hearing in Calgary.
"Quite clearly, you intended to assist or facilitate the activities of a terrorist group. You carried that plan into action," Labrenz told Borhot as the judge accepted a joint sentencing recommendation from the Crown and the defence.
"This was an extremely serious and grave crime."
Borhot pleaded guilty last month to one count of participating in terrorism group activity between May 9, 2013, and June 7, 2014, as well as to kidnapping for a terrorist group while in Syria.
The joint submission recommended eight years on the first count and another four years for the kidnapping.
Labrenz also imposed a lifetime firearms ban and ordered Borhot's DNA be submitted to a national database.
RCMP arrested Borhot in July 2020 after a seven-year investigation.
An agreed statement of facts read in court in April said he travelled to Syria through Turkey to join the Islamic State.
The statement said he signed up as a fighter, received substantial training and excelled as a sniper, but did not tell his wife or father before the trip.
Court heard that Borhot revealed much of the information to an undercover officer after he returned to Canada.
Before the judge's decision, Crown prosecutor Kent Brown said it was important to keep in mind that Borhot participated in acts of terrorism.
"Once he decided to join up with ISIS, virtually all his activities were terrorist activities," he told Labrenz.
Borhot's lawyer, Rame Katrib, said he and his client agreed to the sentence after lengthy discussions with the Crown.
"Mr. Borhot has tendered a plea of guilty, when there were a lot of issues that could have been litigated, but he has taken responsibility," Katrib said.
Twelve years in prison isn't a lenient sentence, the defence lawyer said.
"He's been back in Canada since these offences occurred," he said. "He's been here many years and in that time period he has built a family, he's worked, he's led a quiet life."
Borhot, he noted, was free on bail with strict conditions that included wearing an ankle-tracking device, complying with all laws and checking in regularly with authorities.
"When he goes to jail, he is leaving behind a family. He has four children."
Katrib said the prison term not only takes into account a fit sentence but rehabilitation as a possibility.
"Mr. Borhot left the organization of his own volition and returned to Canada," he said.
"The entirety of the family was never supportive of this type of thing and even now are very ashamed of what's happened, as is Mr. Borhot."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 26, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The lost season': Winter comes to a close as Canada's warmest on record
The warmest winter on record could have far-reaching effects on everything from wildfire season to erosion, climatologists say, while offering a preview of what the season could resemble in the not-so-distant future unless steps are taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
NEW High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.
Freddie Mercury's home is on the market for first time since 1980 minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century -- minus his "exquisite clutter."
NEW Where to watch the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney
A state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23. CTV News will have live special coverage of his funeral service.
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.