'I'm not a f--king terrorist:' Trial for Windsor man accused of terrorism begins Tuesday

In an audio recording played to the courtroom Tuesday, a Windsor, Ont., man facing a terrorism charge, was heard shouting "I'm not a f--king terrorist." 

That recording is from May 2022 — the day that Seth Bertrand was arrested and charged by RCMP officers in Windsor. The now 21-year-old was apprehended by police for alleged links to a known terrorist organization. 

According to the RCMP, Bertrand had filed an application to join the Atomwaffen Division (AWD), also known as the National Socialist Order, and said he'd do things for the group.

Bertrand was charged following various hate-motivated offences that took place in the Windsor area between Feb. 12 and May 20, 2021. He was charged separately for these acts and pleaded guilty in 2022. 

Bertrand has pleaded not guilty to the terrorism charge. His trial started Tuesday at Windsor's Superior Court of Justice. 

Sitting behind his lawyer, Bertrand was straight faced and wore black pants with a white shirt. 

Accused trying to get 'life cleaned up' at time of arrest

During the proceedings, the courtroom was played the audio recording of Bertrand's arrest in May 2022 by RCMP officer Mark Thomaes, who was a witness today. 

After being told that he's under arrest for participating in the activity of a terrorist group, Bertrand is heard saying that he hadn't been "active in that stuff forever" and that he was working and had "been trying to get my life cleaned up." 

When Bertrand was brought to the Windsor police station and his terrorism charge is repeated to one of the officers, Bertrand is heard swearing and saying that he's not a terrorist. 

During the cross-examination period, Bertrand's lawyer Bobby Russon repeatedly questioned Thomaes on whether he properly explained the nature of Bertrand's charges and the consequences he faced. He suggested that Thomaes was "lackadaisical" when reading Bertrand his rights and explaining what was taking place. 

The trial will continue Wednesday and is expected to last throughout the rest of the week. It's then scheduled to resume Nov. 18 for five days. 

Terrorist group promotes violence against racial, religious groups 

According to the Ministry of Public Safety's website, the group Bertrand is alleged to have looked to join "calls for acts of violence against racial, religious, and ethnic groups."

It was first named by the federal government as a terrorist listed entity in 2021.

The AWD joined 77 other terrorist entities listed under the Criminal Code. They include organizations and individuals the government said it has reasonable grounds to believe have knowingly participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity.