Crown wants life sentence for terrorist Said Namouh

An artist's rendition of Said Namouh as he sits in the defendant's box at the courthouse in Montreal Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008. (THE CANADIAN PRESS \ Mike McLaughlin)

The prosecution in the case of convicted terrorist Said Namouh is demanding life in prison for the Morrocan-born man for his role in a European bomb plot.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday, the Crown said Namouh should serve at least 10 years before he's eligible for parole in 2017.

"Mr. Namouh had direct contacts with people in Afghanistan," said prosecutor Dominique Dudemaine. "In today's world because of the internet you can participate in any plot without moving."

Namouh, a permanent resident of Canada, was found guilty of four terrorism-related charges in October. At trial, court heard how Namouh produced instructional videos for jihadists.

Namouh took the stand in Quebec court Friday and denied he was a criminal or a violent man. He added that he has never handled explosives.

His lawyer says life in prison would be too heavy a sentence.

"What is urged today is an atomic bomb to kill a fly," said defence lawyer Rene Duval. "He's getting his instructions in Ottawa from a government well-known for its record on human rights."

Arrested in Maskinonge

Namouh was arrested in 2007 after a lengthy investigation by RCMP and Austrian authorities. He was found guilty of four terrorism charges related to the plotting of attacks in Germany and Austria because of their military role in Afghanistan.

The Crown argued Namouh was a member of the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF), an organization involved in propaganda and jihad recruitment and which is described as a media tool for al-Qaida. Namouh was the webmaster.

He was convicted of conspiracy to detonate an explosive device, participating in a terrorist act, facilitating an act and committing extortion for a terrorist group.

His sentence will set a precedent for future Canadian terror cases.

Namouh has already spent two years in custody while the trial took place.

The judge will render his sentence in February.

However Namouh will have to return to court next week for a deportation hearing.

The Canadian government wants him out of the country once he serves his sentence.