Hiva Alizadeh — arrested in Project Samosa — pleads guilty to terror plot

Conviction of one of the Ottawa-based cell members, Hiva Alizadeh, demonstrates that the court system can be effective in addressing serious radicalization and terror plots.

Relatively little in mainstream press on his background but it appears to be Iranian Kurdish and he came to Canada as a young adult, not as a child:

And if on Wednesday the slim, bearded man renounced that desire, telling an Ottawa court in a soft voice that “I realize how much mistakes I have done,” his guilty plea and expressed regret did little to ease the court’s abhorrence at his actions.

“You have effectively been convicted of treason,” said Justice Colin McKinnon, telling Alizadeh he had “no hesitation” in sentencing him to the 24-year prison term recommended by Crown and defence lawyers.

With his surprise plea, Alizadeh avoided a trial and possible life sentence under Canada’s toughened terrorism laws. With credit for the time served since his arrest, his term for possessing explosives with an intent to injure works out to a maximum of 18 years. He will not be eligible for parole for nine years.

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney issued a statement Wednesday, lauding the authorities’ efforts in the case as well as Canada’s counter-terrorism strategy.

“Today’s outcome is a clear sign that the work and the dedication of professionals prevented Canadians from potential harm,” he said.

Will the Government seek to revoke his citizenship? Or will it decide safer to keep him in prison rather than revocation and deportation?

Hiva Alizadeh — arrested in Project Samosa — pleads guilty to terror plot | Ottawa Citizen.