Aaron Driver, Winnipeg ISIS supporter, released on bail for 2nd time - Action News
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Aaron Driver, Winnipeg ISIS supporter, released on bail for 2nd time

Winnipeg ISIS supporter Aaron Driver has been fitted with a GPS tracking device and released on bail on Tuesday.

Lawyer plans to fight strict bail conditions on constitutional grounds

Aaron Driver, Winnipeg ISIS supporter, released on bail for 2nd time

9 years ago
Duration 2:07
Winnipeg ISIS supporter Aaron Driver will be fitted with a GPS tracking device later today and will again be released on bail.

Winnipeg ISIS supporter Aaron Driver has beenfitted with a GPS trackingdevice and releasedon bail.

His lawyer, Len Tailleur, appeared in court on Tuesday, with Driver appearing briefly by video link from Headingley Correctional Centre.

When the video feed cut out, the 23-year-oldspoke to his lawyer by phone.

Driver was granted bail after agreeing to abide by 19 conditions, which include wearing a GPS device at all times.

Aaron Driver's lawyer, Len Tailleur, said Tuesday the bail conditions imposed on Driver are usually reserved for criminals, and his client has not committed a crime. (Gary Solilak/CBC)
He is also not permitted to communicate on social media, use a computer or smartphone, own anything marked with IS or ISIS, or have any contact with Islamic State members.

He must also stay in Winnipeg and report to police weekly.

Police were to goto Headingley on Tuesdayafternoon tofit Driver with the tracking device, said federal Crown attorney Ian Mahon.

Tailleursaid Driver wouldbe drivento a place to stay,but he did notget into specifics.

'We're going to challenge the entire process'

Tailleur filed notice that he will fight the conditions of the peace bond on constitutional grounds.

Driver is not facing any criminal charges, but authorities want to limit his activities on the suspicion that he may help aterrorist groupor activity.

Driver was arrested by RCMP on June 4, when investigators searched his Charleswood-area home, removing his custom-made computer, phone, flash drives and Qur'an. He was released eight days later with numerous bail conditions. (Facebook)
Tailleursaid the conditions imposed on Driver after his first release, which are similar to the current conditions,are reserved for criminals, and Driver has not committed a crime.

"The kid was working hard. This thing caused him to lose his job. It caused him now to be disenfranchised from the community, so we're going to challenge the entire process because of that," he said.

Tailleur said he has no problem with a peace bond, but says his client shouldn't have to wear aGPS locator for a year.

"[A] GPS device is usually used for known criminals, individuals who have long criminal records, individuals that have been part of the criminal justice system.He has no criminal record. Mr. Driver doesn't deserve a GPS device for a year," he said.

In a statement to CBC News, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said the federal government's Anti-Terrorism Act "enhances the ability of our police officers to detain suspected terrorists before they can harm Canadians."

"As the heads of our national security agencies and the minister have said before, the threat of jihadi terrorists is real. The first duty of any government is to ensure the safety of its citizens," the statement fromJeremyLaurinreads in part.

"We will continue to ensure that our police forces have the tools they need to protect Canadians against this evolving threat of terrorism."

Driver is scheduled to be back in court next Tuesday.

Tailleurdescribed Driver asbeing one of the best clients he's ever had.

Driver rearrested after support withdrawn

Driverwasrearrested Friday after one of his bail conditions was breachedthe person who posted a surety and agreed to give him a place to staywithdrewher support.

Thatperson, Driver's landlady, did not want to be identified. She told CBC News she was tired of the relentless media attention on her house but alsodisappointed with remarks Driver made in an interview with CBC last week.

"Aaron should haveapologized for his remarks in the interview with you and expressed hisgratitude for living in a safe,peaceful and comfortable country, Canada, with many positive opportunities to raise a healthy family," she said.

Driver told CBC Newsthat theCanadian militaryshould have expected to be attackedlast October on Parliament Hill.

OnOct.22,MichaelZehaf-BibeaushotdeadCpl.NathanCirillo, who wasstanding guard at the National War Monument in Ottawa, then charged intoParliamentHill inOttawa before he was gunned down.

Driver said the Canadiangovernment brought that on through its military role in the Middle East.

Watched by CSIS

Driver caught the attention of CSIS, Canada's spy agency,in October 2014when he was tweeting support for themilitant groupISISunder the alias HarunAbdurahman.

That activity landed him on a watch list.

He was arrested byRCMPonJune 4 and investigators searched his Charleswood-areahome, removinghis custom-made computer, phone, flashdrives and Qur'an.

Although he has not been charged with anything, investigators have invoked a section of Canada's Criminal Code and are seeking a peace bond to limit Driver's activities.

After eightdays in custody, hewas released on bail under25 strictconditions, including surrenderinghis passport andobeyinga curfew of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

He isalsoprohibited from using acomputer orsmartphoneor logginginto social media accounts, and is required toundergo"religious counselling."

With files from The Canadian Press