General

Man convicted as part of Toronto 18 plot reportedly killed in Syria

TORONTO – A man who was convicted in 2009 as a member of the so-called Toronto 18 terror group has reportedly been killed while fighting in Syria.

Several media reports say Mohamed Dirie, who had been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the Canadian plot, died in Syria recently while fighting with an extremist group.

Dirie, who would have turned 30 in August, was convicted of smuggling weapons for the Toronto 18 group, which had plotted to blow up the Parliament buildings, kill the prime minister and take MPs hostage.

But the extremist cell was thwarted after a series of raids in 2006.

Dirie pleaded guilty three years later, but only served two years behind bars because of the five years credit he received for pre-trial custody.

There was no information on when Dirie died or how.

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