Islamist fighters simulate a shooting attack
Hassan Abboud, Ahrar al-Sham leader died in a car bomb blast while he was attending a meeting along with others REUTERS

Canadian terror suspect Hiva Mohammad Alizadeh may have surprised many by pleading guilty to the terror charges against him. He told an Ottawa court on Wednesday that he had realised his mistake.

Alizadeh unsuccessfully attempted to organise a functioning terrorist group in Canada, according to allegations that he admitted to be true. Alizadeh said that he didn't realized how much the mistakes he has done. He was arrested in 2010 during a massive police effort, the Ottawa Citizen reported. It said that, despite Alizadeh's confession, the court was unlikely to ease the "abhorrence at his actions."

The 34-year-old brought in 56 circuit boards to the country that were meant to be used for triggering remote-controlled bombs. The circuit boards were apparently smuggled by him in 2009 from a training camp held in Afghanistan. He was aware that the material he was bringing to Canada would be used to make explosive devices. He allegedly tried to motive Canadian Muslims to "break their back in their own country." Alizadeh, who was a Kurdish refugee, managed to secure Canadian citizenship in 2007.

Justin Trudeau earlier refused to answer a question regarding Alizadeh's citizenship. Trudeau opposes the government's right to revoke the citizenship of dual national who are convicted of terror related offences. According to him, it is a "slippery slope" that means a "two-tiered" system of citizenship. Toronto Sun reported that the journalist had asked Trudeau if he was in favour of not revoking the Canadian citizenship of Alizadeh, a Canadian-Iranian. The Liberal leader turned away at the question by saying "next question."

Justice Colin McKinnon earlier told Alizadeh that he was "effectively" convicted of treason. He said that he had not hesitated in sentencing him 24 years in jail, as recommended by defence lawyers and Crown. Alizadeh managed to avoid a trial by pleading guilty. He might also have managed to dodge the probable life sentence. He is not going to be eligible for parole for the first nine years. Alizadeh will spend a maximum of 18 years in jail for possessing explosives with intent to harm.

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney appreciated Canada's strict counter-terrorism strategies last Wednesday in a statement.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au