A Toronto father and son — who were charged this week with multiple terrorism-related offences — denied in court Thursday the son’s involvement in an alleged plot to carry out what the RCMP has called a violent attack against the city.
Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and Mostafa Eldidi, 26, appeared in virtual court sessions in Newmarket, Ont., Thursday, wearing standard-issue orange jumpsuits.
They face a total of nine charges. Among them is one count each of conspiracy to commit murder for the benefit or at the direction of a terrorist group — namely ISIS, a Sunni Muslim militant organization.
When asked during the proceedings if he had anything to say, Mostafa Eldidi responded through a translator that he is innocent.
“I just want to say that all these charges against me, I did not do any of it,” he said.
Speaking during his own appearance later in the day, the elder Eldidi echoed that statement.
“My son Mostafa doesn’t have any guilt in this matter,” he said, also through an interpreter.
Neither man has yet entered a formal plea in court.
RCMP assistant commissioner Matt Peggs first announced the charges against the pair at a news conference on Wednesday.
RCMP officials say they prevented a terrorist attack in Toronto after arresting a father and son in a Richmond Hill hotel on July 28. The pair were allegedly planning an attack targeting Toronto. CBC’s Tyler Cheese has the latest on the investigation.
The two were arrested on July 28 in a hotel room in Richmond Hill, Ont., after a month-long investigation that involved multiple police services, Peggs said.
The alleged attack was going to target Toronto, RCMP Supt. James Parr said, though the exact nature of the threat falls under a publication ban. Parr said there is no ongoing danger to residents of the city.
The pair also faces weapons charges for possession of an axe and a machete, which they had with them at the hotel when they were arrested, Parr said.
“As you know, they were charged with having particular weapons. In other words, we’re pretty confident how close they were to moving from simply having those tools and then moving on to actioning that threat,” Parr said when asked about what kind of attack the pair were allegedly planning.
Court heard Thursday that the Crown is contesting bail for both men.
The justice of the peace presiding over the proceedings also told the elder Eldidi that he is facing a “reverse onus” bail hearing.
That means, because of the increased severity of the charges levied against him, the onus is on the accused to demonstrate why he should be released on bail, instead of on the Crown to prove he should be kept in custody.
The court also imposed a non-communication order on the father and son, meaning they cannot contact each other except through lawyers for the purpose of mounting their defences.
Neither man has a lawyer, court heard, but a referral to legal aid has been made.
Both men are set to be back in court on Aug. 7.