Trial of Misbahuddin Ahmed, accused of terrorist plot, before jury

The trial for a former Ottawa hospital technician accused of being involved in a terrorist plotis now before a jury.

MisbahuddinAhmed was arrested in August 2010 and has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to knowingly facilitate a terrorist activity, participation in the activities of a terrorist group, and possession of explosives with intent to do harm.

• Trial of Ottawa hospital technician accused of terror plot begins
• Khurram Sher terrorism trial verdict date set for Aug. 19

Throughout his trial, which began in mid-May, the Crown attempted to portray Ahmed as a committed jihadist with an eye on Canadian targets, while his defence said he actually was helping stop a planned attack.

One of the events in question was the RCMPs discovery of a plastic bag in his basement that allegedly held materials to build a bomb.

Ahmed testified during his eight-week trial that hed convinced a known extremist to give him the bag and he planned to destroy it.

However, the Crown questioned why Ahmed hid the bag in his home for 23 days and said he was lying.

The jury heard the RCMP had tapped his phone and videotaped him spending time with that same extremist, whose name is under a publication ban.

The Crown said Ahmed had watched jihadist videos on his computer, tried to recruit others to join a terrorist group and gave $500 to that extremist.

Ahmed testified he thought the money was going to help the poor in Kurdistan.

The amount of evidence and its complexity means the jury is expected to take a few days to reach a verdict.

A verdict in the trial for one of his alleged co-conspirators, Khurram Sher, is expected Aug. 19.