TORONTO — The man accused of walking into a military recruitment centre and stabbing soldiers at the behest of Allah is now facing nine terrorism charges, the RCMP announced Tuesday.
Ayanle Hassan Ali is already facing nine counts laid by Toronto police at the time of his arrest in March, but the RCMP said the terrorism offences are all in addition to those original charges.
The new ones include three counts of attempted murder, two counds of assault causing bodily harm , three counts of assault using a weapon and one count of carrying a weapon dangerous to the public, all for the benefit of a terrorism organization.
Ali's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment, and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale declined to say whether any particuar terrorist organization is implicated in the case.
"I wouldn't comment on the process. That will all come out in the course of the prosecution of the case," Goodale said. "It's now in the hands of the justice officials and they will undoubtedly do a proper job."
The RCMP issued a release announcing the charges and declined to offer futher comment.
The attack at the recruitment centre in north Toronto took place on the afternoon of Mar. 14 when Ali allegedly walked in brandishing a knife.
In the days after the incident, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders alleged that he promptly began attacking a uniformed master corporal.
As military personnel moved civilians to safety, investigators said the man tried and failed to slash a female soldier before other soldiers were able to subdue him and hold him for police. Another military member was injured as the suspect was apprehended.
Court documents identified the victims of the attack as Ryan Kong, Jesus Castillo and Tracy Ann Gerhardt. None of their injuries were serious.
"While at the scene, the accused stated that 'Allah told me to do this; Allah told me to come here and kill people,'" Saunders said.
Little is known about Ali, 27, apart from the fact that he was born in Montreal and has lived in Toronto since roughly 2011.
Shortly after the alleged attack, Toronto police charged him with nine counts including three of attempted murder, two of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.
These charges are distinct from those laid by the RCMP in that the alleged offences are not believed to have been committed in the service of a terrorist group.
