Zakaria Amara, one of the key figures behind the thwarted Toronto 18 terror plot, has been granted full parole by the Parole Board of Canada. This decision comes after the board determined that Amara no longer exhibits any signs of extremist beliefs or radical ideologies. Amara, now 41, played a significant role in recruiting members for a group that intended to conduct attacks on Parliament Hill and various locations in Toronto.
Amara has been under day parole for the past four years, during which he was subject to multiple conditions. His transition to full parole was approved following a thorough review of his case by a two-member panel. The panel highlighted that Amara has actively engaged in a deradicalization process while incarcerated, demonstrating notable changes in both attitude and behavior. This positive progression has been facilitated through various rehabilitative programs during his time in custody.
While on day parole, Amara was monitored closely by authorities. His internet usage, social interactions, and relationships were all subject to scrutiny, and there have been no reported safety concerns or breaches of the conditions set for his parole. According to the board’s decision, Amara now aims to establish his own home and structure his daily activities around a full-time job, visits to a mosque, family engagements, and appropriate leisure activities.
Amara's new parole conditions restrict him from any communication with individuals involved in criminal activities, including others who were arrested during the June 2006 anti-terror raids. He is also prohibited from interacting with anyone espousing extremist ideologies unless it is in a controlled environment tied to his work as a consultant for a specialized program. Additionally, he must continue to attend counseling sessions and is subject to financial monitoring and restrictions on his phone and internet use.
This development comes two decades after the Toronto 18 plot was dismantled, an event that significantly influenced public discussions surrounding terrorism in Canada. Amara, along with his associates, had sought to execute terrorist acts motivated by jihadist ideologies, with the intent of forcing the withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan. The group's aspirations evolved, with Amara leading a faction focused on constructing truck bombs aimed at high-profile targets such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Services headquarters, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and a military base.
His arrest occurred on the day when bomb-making materials were delivered to a warehouse intended for the execution of these plans. Amara subsequently pled guilty to charges related to participating in a terror group with the intent to cause explosions likely to result in serious bodily harm or death. Initially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for ten years, his appeal against this sentence was unsuccessful.
According to the parole board’s documentation, Amara exhibited extremist ideologies and behaviors during the initial years of his incarceration, which included multiple instances of misconduct. However, a notable shift in his attitude began around 2014, leading to his transfer to a medium-security facility in 2019. Reports from correctional officers at that facility described him as respectful, polite, and quiet.
In 2022, Amara was granted three months of day parole, which subsequently was extended several times. The board noted that during the latter part of his incarceration, and specifically in the community over the past four years, Amara has consciously distanced himself from extremist ideologies and those who harbor similar views.
