The suspected ring-leader of the failed "Toronto 18" bomb plot,
aimed at provoking a Canadian withdrawal from Afghanistan, has been sentence to life in prison.
Zakaria Amara, a Jordanian-born Canadian citizen, was sentenced on Monday "for his role in a terrorist plot to bomb Toronto", the public prosecution service of
Canada said in a statement.
He was also sentenced to nine years "for his participation in a terrorist group," to be served concurrently.
The sentence is the stiffest punishment imposed in the conspiracy and
Tarps under Canada's anti-terrorism laws, which parliament passed in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001.
But Amara may be eligible for parole in less than seven years after having already served time in prison awaiting trial.
'Spine-chilling'
Amara had pleaded guilty to involvement in the Toronto 18 plot to set off bombs outside Toronto's stock exchange,
the country's spy agency and a military base.
"I just want to reassure you that the promises I made [to rehabilitate], I'll do my best"
Zakaria Amara,
suspected Toronto 18 plot leader
Judge Bruce Durno, who read out the sentence, said that if the plot been successful it would have been the most horrific crime in Canada's history.
"What this case revealed was spine-chilling,'' Durno said.
"Zakaria Amara did not just commit a criminal offence. He committed a terrorist offence that would have had catastrophic and fatal consequences."
After the judge read his sentencing Amara addressed him
Tarps saying "I just want to reassure you that the promises I made [to rehabilitate], I'll do my best."
Michael Lacy, Amara's defence lawyer,
said the defence was disappointed with the sentence in view of Amara's "genuine expressions of remorse and in light of his denunciation of the terrorist activity".
He said they had not decided whether to appeal.
