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Toronto Man Charged With Terrorism, Alleged ISIS Financing, and Attempted Kidnappings
12-23-2025
Toronto — A 26-year-old Toronto man is facing terrorism-related charges, including allegations of providing support to the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), following a joint investigation by Toronto Police Service (TPS), Peel Regional Police (PRP), and the RCMP. Two other Toronto men have also been charged in connection with a series of alleged attempted kidnappings in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that police say were motivated in part by hate and extremist ideology.
Waleed Khan has been charged by the RCMP with providing funds and property to ISIS, facilitating terrorist activity, and conspiracy to commit murder for a terrorist group. According to the RCMP, the alleged terrorism-related offences occurred between June 17 and Aug. 17 of this year. The investigation into Khan’s activities was led by the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) after local police uncovered evidence pointing to national security threats.
Khan is also accused, along with Osman Azizov, 18, and Fahad Sadaat, 19, of being involved in two attempted kidnappings in the GTA in May and June. Toronto police say the alleged crimes targeted women and members of the Jewish community and were motivated, at least in part, by hate-motivated extremism.
The investigation, dubbed Project Neapolitan, began after two violent incidents. The first occurred on May 31 in Toronto near Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East, where a woman was allegedly confronted by men armed with a handgun and a knife who attempted to force her into a vehicle. Police say the suspects fled after the woman resisted and drew attention by screaming.
The second incident took place on June 24 in Mississauga near Britannia Road West and Queen Street South. Peel police allege that three men chased two women while armed with a handgun, a rifle, and a knife. The suspects reportedly fled after a bystander intervened, escaping in an Audi SUV.
Peel Regional Police connected the two incidents and, with assistance from TPS, identified and arrested Khan, Azizov, and Sadaat in August. Search warrants executed at their Toronto residences led to the seizure of firearms, ammunition, and high-capacity magazines, according to police.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the evidence gathered during the kidnapping investigation expanded its scope to include additional offences motivated by hate, particularly against women and members of the Jewish community. Further findings prompted a parallel RCMP investigation into potential terrorism links.
In total, police say 79 charges have been laid. Each of the three accused faces 14 charges, including attempted kidnapping with a firearm, sexual assault with a weapon, and hate-related offences. Khan is facing additional charges related to firearms offences and alleged probation breaches.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow praised law enforcement efforts, stating on social media that police had uncovered “potential threats to public safety motivated by hate,” and thanked officers for their vigilance.
Community leaders described the allegations as alarming. Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said the details of the case were “absolutely chilling,” citing both the alleged motivations and the weapons police say were involved. He called for greater investment in intelligence, law enforcement, and community safety measures to address the rise of extremist ideologies in Canada.
Shauna Kaufman, director of operations for Canadian Women Against Antisemitism, said the case underscores the need to address the root causes of hate crimes. “We require safety walking in the streets,” she said, adding that early warning signs of extremism must be taken seriously.
Police emphasized that the investigation involved close coordination among multiple agencies, including the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Durham Regional Police Service, and FINTRAC. A court-imposed publication ban is in effect, limiting the release of further details as judicial proceedings continue.
Authorities say the arrests disrupted what could have become a more serious threat to public safety, and they continue to urge the public to remain vigilant while investigations proceed through the courts.
Footnotes: Footnotes: https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/news-releases/64832/
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