It is now a criminal offence to knowingly deal in the property or finances of these groups
June 6, 2014 Ottawa Public Safety Canada
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today announced that the Government of Canada has listed the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa and Al-Murabitoun as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code.
The Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa and Al-Murabitoun are groups based in West Africa with ties to al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and Mokhtar Belmokhtar's al'Muwaqi'un Bil-Dima, both of which are listed terrorist entities in Canada. These groups have claimed responsibility for acts that have killed dozens of people.
The actions of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa and Al-Murabitoun meet the legal threshold set out in the Criminal Code, which requires the existence of reasonable grounds to believe that an entity has knowingly participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity or is knowingly acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with such an entity.
The Criminal Code mandates severe penalties for persons and organizations that deal in the property or finances of a listed entity. In addition, it is a crime to knowingly participate in, or contribute to, any activity of a listed entity for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the entity to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity. This offence and related offences are set out, in full, in the Criminal Code.
Quick Facts
- The listing process requires extensive analysis of intelligence and/or criminal information.
- On May 23, 2013, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa and al'Muwaqi'un Bil-Dima, another listed entity, launched twin suicide attacks against a Nigerien army base and a French uranium mine in Niger, killing 25 people.
- On February 8, 2014, Al-Murabitoun kidnapped five Malian aid workers near Gao, Mali.
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- The names of listed entities under the Criminal Code can be found on the Public Safety Canada Web site at www.publicsafety.gc.ca under National Security, Counter-Terrorism.
Contacts
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.
