Suliman Mohamed, Ottawa man facing terror charges, remains in custody

The Ottawa man accused of conspiring to participate in a terrorist activity with two others will attend a bail hearing next month with his co-accused, where prosecutors plan to oppose their release from custody.

Suliman Mohamed, 21, was arrested on Monday and charged with one count of participation in the activity of a terrorist group and one count of conspiracy to participate in a terrorist activity.

• Suliman Mohamed accused by RCMP of participating in terrorist group
• Ashton Larmond and Carlos Larmond appear in court on terrorism charges

Mohamed, wearing a brown hooded jacket and a small beard, appeared briefly in person at the Ottawa courthouse on Tuesday morning.

The judge ordered him to have no contact with twin brothers Ashton and Carlos Larmond, who were arrested Friday and face several charges, including participation in the activity of a terrorist group.

Police allege Mohamed and the Larmond brothers were conspiring together.

Mohamed is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 12, the same day the Larmond brothers are next due to appear in court.

Mohamed 'very confused and upset,' defence lawyer says

Outside court on Tuesday after Mohamed's appearance, defence lawyer Doug Baum said he and Mohamed don't yet know the evidence against him because disclosure from the prosecutor's office wasn't ready.

"We heard from the federal prosecutor that because of the timing of the arrests ... the investigation itself may not have been complete, and that the disclosure — which is normally given out — is not available at this time," Baum told reporters.

As to his client, Baum said Mohamed is "not saying anything at this point," and that his family is surprised by the charges.

"Well, obviously, he's very confused and upset at the situation he finds himself in ... and the lack of knowledge doesn't help, but it's unavoidable. ... We're going to have to wait at least several weeks before we get the disclosure and we're able to find out and understand the full weight of the accusations that are pending against all of these fellows," Baum said.

"The family are, of course, quite taken by surprise. They naturally ... believe that their son hasn't done anything untoward, and they're anxious as well to see the disclosure and understand what the nature of the allegations are."

​Prosecutor Rod Sonley said his team will attempt to provide disclosure "at the earliest opportunity" and that Mohamed's defence team will have some of the disclosure before the Feb. 12 bail hearing

He also said the prosecution will oppose the release of all three co-accused from custody.

"I think that it should be obvious that there is a serious risk with these types of charges. ... I can't discuss the factual background, but we are opposing their release from custody, and the reasons for that will be outlined in the courtroom and not on the street," Sonley said.

Mohamed a 'very normal person,' father says

Outside the courthouse, Mohamed's father, Idris Altahir, said his son "doesn't participate in these things."

“He’s a very normal person, quiet, polite and generous," he told reporters. "I'm waiting now to see, with all this shock, what it is they have for him."

Altahir said he hasn't heard of the Larmond brothers and that he doesn't know of any previous trouble between his son and the police.

Court records show that Mohamed does not have a criminal record.