An Ontario man was arrested today on terrorism-related charges stemming from a trip to Turkey earlier this year.
Ikar Mao, 22, of Guelph, Ont. was charged by the RCMP with participation in the activity of a terrorist group and leaving Canada to participate in a terrorist group.
“I want to reassure the citizens of the Greater Toronto Area and all Canadians, that our primary focus is the safety and protection of the public at all times,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Michael LeSage said in a statement.
Mao is set to make his first appearance in court on Friday in Brampton.
Mao and his wife were arrested in Turkey in July under suspicion the two were going to cross into Syria and join ISIS. Turkish authorities released the couple after three months without charges.
In November, Mao was arrested on a terrorism peace bond after returning to Guelph. Court documents referred to a “fear of terrorism offence” in relation to the bond.
According to government estimates, approximately 180 people are believed to have travelled from Canada to fight for the Islamist extremist group ISIS. Of the total, 60 terrorists have been allowed to freely enter back into the country, while the remaining are detained or still abroad fighting with terrorist groups.
