An alleged ISIS recruiter from Edmonton has been successfully extradited to the U.S. to face terrorism charges for helping three Canadians and two Americans travel to kill for the terrorist group.
In 2014, Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi robbed a jewelry store in Edmonton in order to fund his cousins who were fighting for ISIS. The court stayed the charges against Abdullahi in October so that he could be extradited to the U.S.
“Terrorist networks like ISIS cannot exist without supporters. Protecting Americans from terrorists is our highest priority, and we will work hard to bring justice to those who provide material support to foreign terror organizations,” said a news release by U.S. District Court Attorney for the Southern District of California Robert Brewer.
According to estimates, approximately 180 people travelled from Canada to fight for terror groups like ISIS. The Canadian government estimates 60 have returned to the country already.
The Canadian government is allegedly keeping a list of these terrorists and tracking their whereabouts. Very few charges, however, have been laid.
Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale has stated that only four charges have been laid against the returning terrorists, two of which are before the courts.
Abdullahi is currently facing charges for conspiring to provide material support for terrorists in Syria between August 2013 and November 2014. Abdullahi is believed to have provided money and recruits for a cell of terrorists which included family members stretching across Canada and the U.S.
Abdullahi isn’t the only ISIS supporter to be detained in Canada.
Earlier this year, an Edmonton jury found ISIS supporter Abdulahi Sharif guilty of attempted murder after he attacked a police officer and innocent bystanders with a van.
While Sharif did not face any terrorism-related charges, investigators found an ISIS flag in his vehicle. According to a former coworker, Sharif was reported to the police in the past for holding “genocidal beliefs” including praising ISIS.
Several years prior to the attack, Sharif was set to be deported by the U.S. but managed to escape into Canada where he was granted asylum.
House Republicans have called on the U.S. government to investigate how Sharif was able to be released and travel to Canada where he eventually committed the attack.
