A Calgary man has pleaded guilty to terrorism-related activities with the militant group Islamic State.
Hussein Borhot, 36, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of participating in terrorism group activity between May 9 and June 7, 2014, and the commission of the offence of kidnapping for a terrorist group while in Syria.
RCMP arrested him in July 2020 after a seven-year investigation.
He was charged with three counts of participating in terrorism group activity as well as with commission of an offence for a terrorist group.
An agreed statement of facts says Borhot travelled to Syria through Turkey to join the Islamic State. He signed up as a fighter, received substantial training and excelled as a sniper.
He did not tell his wife about the trip, said the document.
Court heard that Borhot revealed much of the information to an undercover officer after he returned to Canada.
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Borhot told the officer that he and some other Islamic State fighters travelled to a village, where they kidnapped a number of opposing fighters, said the document.
He also said he had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State and expressed a desire to return and fight in Syria.
When asked by Court of Queen’s Bench Justice David Labrenz whether the facts were correct, he replied that they were, but said: “I didn’t know better.”
Borhot had been free on bail with strict conditions, including wearing ankle-tracking devices, not applying for travel documents, and heeding a ban on having firearms, ammunition or explosives.
A four-week trial was to begin Nov. 21. The case will be back in court May 26 to set a date for sentencing.
Borhot’s cousin, Jamal Borhot, is also accused of joining the Islamic State and faces three counts of participating in terrorist group activity.
He had a trial date scheduled for October, but is now searching for a new lawyer. He is to return to court May 13.
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