MONTREAL — Two Montreal teens who face terrorism-related charges will get a chance to convince a judge they should be released on bail.
El Mahdi Jamali, 18, and Sabrine Djermane, 19, listened quietly as their bail hearing began Friday with the Crown presenting its case.
The man and woman each face four charges: attempting to leave Canada to commit a terror act abroad; possession of an explosive substance; facilitating a terrorist act; and committing an act under the direction or for the profit of a terrorist organization.
Usually, the Crown must prove why an accused should remain detained, but in terrorism cases the burden falls on the defence to demonstrate why they should be released.
The Crown has said it will argue the pair should remain detained pending the outcome of their case.
A publication ban, requested by the defence, was granted on all the evidence being presented.
Jamali and Djermane, both students at College de Maisonneuve, a Montreal junior college, were arrested in April as what the Crown called a "preventive measure." Prosecutors wanted them to sign peace bonds that would set out conditions and restrictions on their day-to-day lives.
But days after their arrest, they reappeared before a judge to face the criminal charges.
An RCMP investigator testified Friday as relatives of the accused looked on.
Both had new lawyers, but it didn't cause any delays to the hearing, which is expected to last three days before Quebec court Judge Robert Sansfacon.
The case resumes Monday.
