British Columbia

Othman Ayed Hamdan has bail hearing on terrorism charges

Othman Ayed Hamdan, a Fort St. John resident who allegedly posted pro-ISIS propaganda online, appeared in court for a bail hearing Wednesday on three terrorism-related charges.

Hamdan shook his head at times in the courtroom as evidence was presented

Othman Hamdan, in custody on terrorism-related charges, shields his face from the media on his way into a bail hearing in Fort St. John on July 15. (Brett Hyde/CBC)

Othman Ayed Hamdan, a Fort St. John resident who allegedly posted pro-ISIS propaganda online, appeared in court for a bail hearing Wednesday on six terrorism-related charges.

The 33-year-old man wore a dark grey T-shirt as he sat behind glass partitions in the prisoner's box, with closely-cropped black hair and beard.

He shook his head at times while evidence was presented at the bail hearing. CBC News cannot report on that evidence due to a publication ban.

Hamdan faces six terrorism-related charges under the Criminal Code, two counts of each of the following:

  • counseling to commit murder for the benefit of a terrorist group. 
  • counseling to assault causing bodily harm for the benefit of a terrorist group.
  • counseling to commit aggravated assault for the benefit of a terrorist group.

RCMP accuse him of distributing propaganda connected with ISIS, and allege he was instructing people to commit murder in the name of Jihad.

A decision on Hamdan's bail application will be made July 31.

With files from Brett Hyde