In a troubling development that highlights the persistent challenges of extremism and national security, a Canadian citizen with a history of terrorism convictions is once again facing serious criminal charges. Mohamed Khader, who previously served time in the United States for providing material support to Al-Qaeda, was arrested Thursday in Montreal following a series of bomb threats that triggered evacuations across the city.
According to CO24 News sources close to the investigation, Khader allegedly made at least seven threats targeting government buildings, transportation hubs, and places of worship over a two-week period in early October. The threats, which authorities have described as “credible and meticulously planned,” prompted emergency responses that disrupted critical services and caused widespread public concern.
“The accused demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of security vulnerabilities and emergency response protocols,” said RCMP Superintendent Marie Leblanc during a press conference Friday morning. “Each threat was crafted to maximize disruption and invoke fear in specific communities.”
Khader’s history with extremism dates back to 2011, when U.S. authorities arrested him in Buffalo, New York, on charges of providing financial and logistical support to Al-Qaeda operatives. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to eight years in federal prison before being deported to Canada in 2018. Upon his return, he was placed under a peace bond that imposed strict limitations on his activities and communications, including prohibitions on internet use and travel.
Canada News has learned that despite these restrictions, Khader allegedly managed to establish new connections with extremist networks online. Court documents reveal that investigators discovered encrypted communications between the accused and individuals associated with known terrorist organizations in the Middle East and North Africa.
The current charges—which include uttering threats, public mischief, and terrorism-related offenses—raise significant questions about the effectiveness of Canada’s monitoring systems for individuals with terrorism backgrounds. Security experts have expressed concern about the apparent gaps in supervision that allowed Khader to allegedly orchestrate these threats.
“This case exemplifies the challenges facing our security services,” explained Dr. Simon Fraser, Director of the Canadian Institute for Security Studies. “We’re seeing individuals with prior extremist connections adapting to monitoring protocols and finding new ways to pursue harmful activities.”
The economic impact of the bomb threats has been substantial, according to preliminary assessments by CO24 Business analysts. Each evacuation resulted in approximately $450,000 in lost productivity and emergency response costs, with the total economic damage estimated at over $3 million.
Montreal Mayor Sophie Tremblay condemned the threats, emphasizing the psychological toll on affected communities. “Beyond the economic damage, these incidents create lasting trauma and undermine the sense of security that all residents deserve,” she stated at a community meeting on Saturday.
Khader’s case returns to court next Tuesday for a bail hearing, though prosecutors have indicated they will oppose his release, citing the severity of the charges and his history of extremist connections. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 14 years in prison.
As our society continues to navigate complex security challenges, we must ask ourselves: How can Canada more effectively balance civil liberties with the necessary monitoring of individuals with terrorist backgrounds, and what additional resources might our security agencies require to prevent similar incidents in the future?
