Convicted terrorist Said Namouh gets life sentence

A handout photo of Said Namouh who is accused of disseminating terrorist propaganda in Montreal Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout)

A rural Quebec man has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in an overseas terror plot hatched by an al-Qaida affiliated group.

Said Namouh, 37, was found guilty last October of four terrorism-related charges relating to a plan to bomb targets in Germany and Austria.

The terror attack was motivated by those countries' military presence in Afghanistan.

Namouh was involved with the Global Islamic Media Front, an organization recognized by the court as a terrorist group that took part in propaganda and jihad recruitment.

The organization is described as an al-Qaida media tool.

Judge says Namouh "dangerous"

Quebec court Judge Claude Leblond said Namouh remains dangerous and remorseless whereas in other Canadian terrorism cases, some of the accused had seen the error of their ways.

Leblond noted that an attempt by Namouh to seek the court's favour by taking the stand during his sentencing hearing last November had the opposite effect.

"In no way since the events has he distanced himself from terrorism," Leblond said in his judgment.

"His attempt at manipulating the court during his sentencing hearing reveals the danger he continues to represent."

Eligible for parole in 2017

Namouh, a permanent resident of Canada, was arrested by the RCMP in Maskinonge in September of 2007.

He will get credit for time served since his arrest, so he would be eligible for parole in 2017.

Quebec court Judge Claude Leblond says Namouh remains dangerous and remorseless.

Canada wants Namouh to be deported once he serves his sentence.