Fort St. John terror suspect makes court appearance

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – A northern British Columbia man charged with terrorism-related offences has made his first court appearance.

Othman Ayed Hamdan, 33, wore a long-sleeved black T-shirt Monday when he appeared in a Fort St. John courtroom via video conference.

A publication ban was granted on evidence being presented at a bail hearing, and Hamdan is scheduled to appear in provincial court again on Wednesday.

Hamdan is charged with two counts each of counselling to commit murder for the benefit of a terrorist group, counselling to assault causing bodily harm for the benefit of a terrorist group, and counselling to commit aggravated assault for the benefit of a terrorist group.

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READ MORE: Fort St. John man facing terrorism-related charges had no ties to community, says mayor

RCMP allege he distributed propaganda online involving the group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, including instructions to commit murder in the name of Jihad.

Court documents show the alleged offences took place between Sept. 22, 2014 and March 21, 2015.

Hamdan was arrested Friday, and is currently in custody.

RCMP said a search warrant was executed at Hamdan’s home, and a number of items were seized.

Hamdan’s lawyer Bryan Fitzpatrick declined comment on the case after the bail hearing.

Both the mayor of Fort St. John and a spokesman for the town’s Muslim association say Hamdan had no known links to the community. (Alaska Highway News)