Ont. doctor in terrorism case gets bail

The doctor from London, Ont., arrested in August with two Ottawa men on terrorism charges related to an alleged bomb plotwas granted bail Wednesday.

Khurram Syed Sher, a 28-year-old pathologist and former Canadian Idol participant, is charged with conspiracy to facilitate terrorism.

Police accuse him of plotting with suspects Hiva Alizadeh and Misbahuddin Ahmed, as well as others in Canada and abroad,to aid terrorism activities.

Thebail conditions imposed by Justice of the Peace Louisette Girault in Ottawainclude:

• $5,000 cash bail and $178,000 bond.
• Must live with his in-laws in Mississauga, Ont., and can onlyleave the home with a surety; cannot leave Ontario.
• Internet use only for medical study andin the presence of a surety.
• Report weekly to RCMP detachment inwest Toronto.
• No use of a cellphone or pager.
• No contact with his co-accused.
• No financial transactions over $250.

Sher's lawyer, Anser Farooq, said he and his client were happy with the ruling.

"We're not hoping this matter proceeds to trial. We're hoping that the charges against my client are eventually stayed. The sooner that happens, the better," Farooq said.

"I would certainly hope that they are going to review this case thoroughly before subjecting an individual through this lengthy and very troublesome prosecution."

RCMP arrested Alizadeh and Ahmed on Aug. 25 and Sher a day later as part of an investigation dubbed Project Samossa.

Ahmed was granted bail Sept. 28, while Alizadeh has yet to have his bail hearing.

Evidence presented at Sher's bail hearing, held over two days in late September,is subject to a publication ban.

Canadian Idol audition

Sher, whosangAvril Lavigne's song Complicated in an auditionfor season six of Canadian Idol that his friends considered a prank,was born and raised in Montreal, and speaks English and French fluently. He graduated from McGill University's medical school and completed his pathology residency in June before moving to London to work at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.

He faces the least charges ofthealleged co-conspirators.

Alizadeh, 30,is also charged with being in possession of an explosive substance with intent to harm and providing property or financial services for the benefit of a terrorist group.

Ahmed, a 26-year-old Ottawa X-ray technologist, is charged with possessing an explosive substance with the intent to harm. His bail conditions include $20,000 in cash and $625,000 in bonds and securities.