Terrorism suspect had Winnipeg ties

A Winnipeg businessman expressed disbelief Thursday that a valued former employee and friend has been implicated in an alleged domestic terrorism plot.

The RCMP has charged Hiva Alizadeh, 30, with knowingly helping to commit terrorist activity and being in possession of an explosive substance with intent to harm. He has also been accused of providing property or financial services for the benefit of a terrorist group.

Two other Canadian men have also been charged. Misbahuddin Ahmed, 26, of Ottawa, and 28-year-old Khurram Sher of London, Ont., are also accused of being part of a conspiracy.

Alizadeh, a Sunni Muslim whose parents live in Iran, lived in Manitoba for many years and attended Red River College in Winnipeg before moving to Ontario, said Yusuf Abdulrehman, the owner of an Islamic grocery store in Winnipeg's West Broadway neighbourhood.

'It's not good news … I'm really sad because as far as I know of Hiva, he was a good guy, he was very good.' —Yusuf Abdulrehman

The college confirmed that a man named Hiva Alizadeh studied English as a second language there in 2003-04 and electrical engineering in 2008-09.

RCMP allege that Alizadeh, Ahmed and Sher conspired with three other men, whom they named as James Lara, Rizgar Alizadeh and Zakaria Mamosta (who Reuters said are not in Canada) and other unnamed individuals in Canada, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Dubai to commit terrorism-related offences.

Former employer shocked

Abdulrehman said Alizadeh worked at his store, the Halal Meats Centre on Maryland Street, for many years and was a trusted employee. Alizadeh was such a good worker that he wound up co-managing the store prior to leaving to attend classes in 2008.

Abdulrehman described Alizadeh as a polite and gentle man. They would often pray together at the store and at a local mosque, he said.

"It's not good news … I'm really sad because as far as I know of Hiva, he was a good guy, he was very good.

"And I'm not the only one who ever knew Hiva. They would all tell you the same thing that Hiva was a very nice guy," he said.

The two never discussed Alizadeh's political views and Abdulrehman said he never saw any signs of religious radicalism.

Alizadeh seemed grateful to be in Canada and to be able to go to school here, Abdulrehman said.

Alizadeh and his wife lived in an apartment on St. Mary's Road during their time in the city.

Travelled often

Neighbour Ellie Pfeiffer said Alizadeh appeared to travel often and said he and his wife talked freely about their Muslim faith.

Pfeiffer said she noticed a dramatic change in Alizadeh's wife's behaviour after the couple visited Toronto about two years ago.

After their return, Pfeiffer said the woman began wearing a niqab, a traditional headscarf that covers not only the hair, but also most of the face, leaving only the eyes exposed. Prior to that, she wore the less-conservative hijab, a headscarf that covers most of the hair and neck, and sometimes the shoulders.

The RCMP has said Alizadeh had been under surveillance for some time and allege he met with other accused at his Ottawa home and other locales.

Police said he was recorded discussing the Toronto 18 terrorism case, Canada's system of security certificates, which allow permanent residents and foreign nationals to be detained and deported based on secret evidence, and the structure of terrorist cells.

Alizadeh also allegedly went to Iran for several months, according to court documents.

He and co-accused Ahmed each made a brief court appearance Thursday.

Their cases were remanded until Sept. 1.

Both remain in custody.