RCMP Arrest Toronto Man for Leaving Canada to Participate in Terrorist group

Today, as part of an extensive national security criminal investigation named Project SACHET, the RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in Toronto, arrested Pamir Hakimzadah, for an offence under section 83.181 of the Criminal Code, for leaving Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group.

This investigation was first initiated in January of 2016, after it was revealed that Hakimzadah travelled to Turkey during the fall of 2014 to join the Islamic State, a listed terrorist entity. Hakimazadah was subsequently returned to Canada after being detained by Turkish authorities.

Hakimazadah is currently in custody for outstanding criminal allegations by the Toronto Police Service. Hakimazadah will appear before courts on his new charge on April 6, 2017.  At no time during the course of this investigation was there any risk to public safety.

“As Canada’s national police force, the RCMP works with our partners to ensure the comprehensive and timely response to terrorist criminal activity and national security criminal investigations both at home and abroad” stated Superintendent Lise Crouch, Assistant Criminal Operations Officer for National Security. “The support of our policing partners, in this case the Toronto Police Service, is essential in the successful outcome of these investigations.”

The RCMP encourages citizens to remain vigilant and to report any information on terrorism or related suspicious activities to the National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805 or by  contacting the police in their community.