RCMP charge Canadian for allegedly joining Islamist fighters in Syria

Yet another alleged jihadist charged. But given he is out of the country, no trial unless he returns to Canada:

What is known in the case against Mr. Yusufzai is reflected in the police statement, which was filed in a Richmond, B.C. courthouse on July 17. It is not clear why the RCMP singled out Mr. Yusufzai as a test of the new law, though the charge suggests detectives have amassed evidence they lack in other cases. It’s often extremely difficult for police to obtain witness statements and gather other evidence in foreign conflict zones.

“The individual is known to have travelled to Syria to join Islamist fighters,” is the only additional information that an RCMP spokesman, Corporal David Falls, would provide.

Family members in B.C. say Mr. Yusufzai is actually working in a restaurant in Turkey, and calls them on Skype. They say that he has been smeared. “He’s harmless,” a brother said.

Relatively little is known about the suspect, who appears to have been raised in Canada by immigrant parents. One neighbour outside his family’s rented apartment told The Globe that starting three years ago, the young man began to change – becoming more religious, dressing in more traditional Islamic clothing, and even mentioning “jihad.” “He changed 100 per cent,” that neighbour said.

If he is in Turkey working in a restaurant and calling home via Skype, he could presumably call the Globe reporters or others as well directly to tell his story.

RCMP charge Canadian for allegedly joining Islamist fighters in Syria – The Globe and Mail.