Terror suspect who entered Canada on student visa to await U.S. evidence in prison

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani national accused of planning a terror attack on a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York, is expected to remain in Quebec’s Bordeaux prison for several more weeks while U.S. authorities prepare evidence for an extradition request.

Khan was arrested along with three other individuals in Ormstown, Quebec, on Wednesday, September 4, after traveling from his home in Toronto. Ormstown is located about 20 kilometers north of the U.S.-Canada border.

Canadian authorities have received information from their U.S. counterparts suggesting Khan was involved in a conspiracy to carry out a shooting attack at an unspecified location in Brooklyn, targeting a large number of Orthodox Jews. The FBI alleges the attack was planned for October 7, marking the first anniversary of the Hamas massacre in Israel.

Khan did not appear in court this morning. A Crown prosecutor informed the court that Canada has yet to receive the details of the FBI's case against him, and the prosecution was not prepared to proceed.

According to the Canada-U.S. extradition treaty, American authorities have 60 days from the arrest date to provide evidence supporting the extradition request. Canada then has 30 days to review the evidence and decide whether to issue an "authority to proceed" or deny extradition.

Canada can deny an extradition request but still pursue domestic charges.

The RCMP charged Khan with three Criminal Code offenses: attempting to leave Canada to commit an act for a terrorist group, participating in terrorist group activities, and conspiring to violate U.S. immigration law by unlawfully entering or attempting to enter the United States. Khan was subsequently rearrested under a provisional arrest warrant, indicating that Canadian authorities are likely pursuing extradition.

Much of the evidence currently available was collected by FBI undercover agents posing as co-conspirators in the alleged plot.

Quebec Superior Court Judge Helene Di Salvo has scheduled Khan’s next court appearance for December 6, 92 days after his arrest. By then, both U.S. and Canadian authorities are expected to have completed the necessary steps in the extradition process, and the court will review both the U.S. evidence and the Canadian response.

Khan entered Canada on a student visa, according to Immigration Minister Marc Miller. Known also as Shazeb Jadoon, he arrived in Toronto on June 24, 2023, a month after receiving his visa. CBC News has contacted several Toronto-area post-secondary institutions, but none have confirmed whether Khan was enrolled.

Khan is the third individual arrested recently for alleged plots on behalf of ISIS. Following the arrests of Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, in Toronto in July, the Trudeau government initiated a review of its screening procedures. The Eldidis were accused of planning an attack on Canadian soil, and Canada was alerted by France after the Eldidis had been cleared by Canadian security screening.

In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his government’s efforts, stating that the arrest “demonstrates the tenacity of our federal agencies in disrupting these plots.”

“We are a member of the Five Eyes, monitoring global movements,” he said. “We constantly ensure that our security services and intelligence agencies are safeguarding Canadians, whether by vetting those wanting to enter Canada or preventing harm to Canadians already here. We will continue to support the efforts of those working to keep people safe worldwide.”