Toronto-area woman facing terrorism charges after allegedly trying to join ISIS

TORONTO — RCMP say they’ve charged a woman from the Toronto area with terrorism-related offences after she allegedly travelled to join the Islamic State group.

Police say 22-year-old Haleema Mustafa of Markham, Ont., went to Turkey join ISIS in June 2019.

Mounties believe Mustafa made the trip with her husband, 22-year-old Ikar Mao, who was arrested and charged in December 2019.

The two are each facing charges of participating in the activities of a terrorist group and leaving Canada to participate in activities of a terrorist group.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada says Mustafa appeared in court for a bail hearing on Thursday and her case has been remanded until Aug. 31.

The RCMP say the charges come after a lengthy investigation with assistance from various police services in the Toronto area and the Canada Border Services Agency.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2020.

The Canadian Press