Montreal

Sabrine Djermane and El Mahdi Jamali make court appearance

Two Montreal teenagers facing terrorism-related charges appeared in court Wednesday to finalize plans for their preliminary hearing.

Teens each face four charges related to terrorism

Montrealers Sabrine Djermane, 19, and El Mahdi Jamali, 18, have been charged with terror-related offences. (Radio-Canada)

Two Montreal teenagers facing terrorism-related charges appeared in court Wednesday to finalize plans for their preliminary hearing.

Sabrine Djermane, 19, and El Mahdi Jamali, 18, are facing several charges including attempting to leave Canada to commit a terrorist act abroad, possession of an explosive substance, facilitating a terrorist act and committing an act under the direction of or for the profit of a terrorist organization.

Prosecutor Lyne Décarie told Quebec Court Judge Hélène Morin that she expects 17 witnesses to testify at the preliminary hearing.

Djermane and Jamali sat side by side at the prisoners box at the hearing. Jamali was in handcuffs and leg restraints.  At one point, Jamali smiled and waved at a female relative in the courtroom.

The two College Maisonneuve students, who are romantically linked, were arrested in April. They will remain in custody pending trial.

Three weeks have been set aside for the preliminary hearing, which is set to run from May 11 to June 3.