A man from Alberta, Jamal Borhot, was found guilty by a judge on Monday of three counts of participating in a terrorist group for his involvement with the Islamic State in Syria over a decade ago. The judge emphasized that Borhot, now 35, was aware of the terrorist organization’s objectives and willingly engaged in violent activities to further their cause. Along with his cousin Hussein Borhot, Jamal traveled to Syria in 2013 to fight for ISIS, entering the country illegally through Turkey. Hussein Borhot had already been sentenced to 12 years in prison in a previous trial.
During the trial, it was revealed that Jamal Borhot not only took part in violent acts but also recruited others for the terrorist group and handled administrative tasks. He was even imprisoned by ISIS for stealing medication, demonstrating his commitment to the extremist cause. The judge noted that Borhot was prepared to use firearms to target non-Muslim individuals, highlighting the severity of his involvement in terrorist activities.
Despite being free on bail for five years, Borhot was taken into custody after the court’s verdict, with sentencing scheduled for January 16. The prosecution has indicated that Borhot could face a significant jail term, potentially up to 10 years for each of the three charges, to be served consecutively. The long legal process has finally reached a pivotal stage, bringing some relief to the prosecutors involved in the case.
Both sides, the prosecution and Borhot’s defense lawyer, acknowledged the challenging situation for his family, expressing deep disappointment at the court’s ruling. As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of Borhot’s actions and the potential consequences remain significant for all parties involved.