Accused ISIS conspirator arrested in Toronto murder plot, linked to attacks on women, Jews

A Toronto man has been arrested for allegedly conspiring with ISIS to provide information and commit murder. 26-year-old Waleed Khan has been accused of conspiring to commit murder, providing funds and property, and aiding terrorist activity on behalf of ISIS. Authorities allege the offenses occurred between June 17 and August 17.

Khan and two other men are also accused of carrying out violent kidnapping attempts against women and members of the Jewish community. The other suspects, Osman Azizov, 18, and Fahad Sadaat, 19, were arrested in connection with two alleged attempted kidnappings in Toronto in May and June.

According to authorities, in May a woman was approached by all three men, one allegedly armed with a firearm and another with a knife. Investigators say the suspects attempted to force the woman into a vehicle but fled when another person approached. Less than one month later, the men allegedly chased a pair of women while armed with a handgun, a rifle, and a knife.

Investigators later took the men into custody and recovered firearms along with evidence suggesting hate crimes targeting the Jewish community, according to a report by Fox News. In total, the three men are facing 79 charges, which include conspiracy to commit kidnapping and hostage taking, weapons possession, sexual assault, and more.

“What began as armed, coordinated attempts to kidnap women led to significant arrests and charges, stopping a dangerous escalation of hate-motivated crimes and terrorism across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “Thank you to our investigators and partners at the Toronto Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their collaboration and tireless efforts to keep our communities safe.”