RCMP charge a man for leaving Canada to join ISIS

Today, the RCMP have arrested and charged a Toronto man for allegedly leaving the country to join ISIS.

Pamir Hakimzadah, 27, is currently in custody for outstanding criminal allegations by the Toronto Police Service. He was taken into custody as part of a national criminal investigation, Project Sachet, which began in January 2016.

According to an RCMP statement, the investigation was first initiated in January of 2016, after it was revealed that Hakimzadah had traveled to Turkey during the fall of 2014 to join the Islamic State, a listed terrorist entity.

He was subsequently returned to Canada after being detained by Turkish authorities.

Hakimzadah will appear before courts on his new charge on April 6, 2017.

“As Canada’s national police force, the RCMP works with our partners to ensure the comprehensive and timely response to terrorist criminal activity and national security criminal investigations both at home and abroad” stated Superintendent Lise Crouch, Assistant Criminal Operations Officer for National Security. “The support of our policing partners, in this case the Toronto Police Service, is essential in the successful outcome of these investigations.”

Meanwhile, the Canadian Council of Imams released a statement in response to news of the arrest.

“Canadian imams are relieved that the authorities were able to stop a Canadian man from allegedly leaving Canada to participate in terrorist activity overseas,” stated the Imams Council. “The Canadian Council of Imams appreciates the efforts of law enforcement in keeping Canadians safe.”

“The Daesh ideology of hate and extremism based violence is one that both the authorities and communities are battling,” the statement continued. “We continue to work with our partners in law enforcement, social services and education to counter the threat of violent extremism.”

“We reaffirm our commitment to live together in peace and confront all types of hate and violent extremism.”