A Canadian man was arrested (a few years ago) for trying to join a terrorist organization (Al-Shabab) and recruit someone else (in this case an undercover cop) to do the same. Recently Mohamed Hersi was handed a 10 year sentence . Another red button issue with all sorts of concerns, all of them with merit for so called “Terror Tourists”. Those young folks who might go back to the “old country” or take part in fighting or terrorist activity overseas.
Now here is where it gets interesting. A portly fella by Somali standards, I’m not too sure how much of an asset this guy would be to a combat oriented terrorist group like Al-Shabab. Seeing as how he looks a little to soft for the hard core Somalis I would guess they would send him back to Canada to raise money for their cause in that he would be more use that way than as a foot soldier. I think Canadian authorities might have dropped the ball on this one. Canada’s intelligence services (ie RCMP,CSIS,etc)are usually craftier so this leads me to believe it was a politically motivated case.
Let me explain.
This guy was arrested getting on a plane to go to join Al-Shabab. He did not actually join anyone yet. He did not break any laws, but INTENT is a large part of the law also known as MENS REA- fancy Latin talk for “the guilty mind”. Intent can get you into hot water. The alternate is ACTUS REAS (the guilty act) or actually doing the crime. Or at least according to my limited law courses.
Thanks for the law lesson Evil but what about the “dropped ball”? Well I’m glad you asked here goes-
If Canadian authorities, police or whomever was in charge of this investigation had let Mohamed Hersi go to join them and then come back to Canada they would have had a lot more intel to gain. On top of that if he became disaffected like many have when they go abroad he might be able to be recruited by “the good guys” to keep information flowing to security services. Or in the case where he did become radicalized he could be followed to see if he leads to bigger fish. However that’s why I feel this was a politically motivated arrest and event.
The radicalization of western youth of course is a concern as they go off on various jihads around the world and come back indoctrinated and combat ready. Potential sleeper agents, ready to start blowing stuff up on command… the human IED if you will. Sure that’s what were all told. The reality is though in many Western countries is that the intelligence services are the ones putting terrorists forward. Not to mention GLADIO , let’s take a look at various F.B.I. “stings” in the Untied States. Most of the “foiled” terrorist plots were actually started by the FBI themselves! No conspiracy theory just the sad facts of another government agency ensuring it’s mandate and relevancy (and budget). COINTELPRO 2.0.
Thanks for tuning in. -EvS