In a case that underscores the challenges of counter-terrorism financing in Canada, Khalilullah Yousuf, a Toronto resident, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in funding the Islamic State (ISIS). The sentencing took place at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, where Yousuf pleaded guilty to charges of terrorist financing and participation in terrorist group activities, according to court documents.
Yousuf utilized platforms such as GoFundMe to solicit donations, purportedly for supporting Palestinians in Gaza and Muslim religious events. However, he admitted to transferring over $35,000 to ISIS, as per his guilty plea. His activities extended beyond financial support to include the creation and distribution of ISIS propaganda aimed at radicalizing and recruiting new members.
Crown prosecutor Ira Glasner, speaking at the sentencing, described the investigation as complex, involving the use of cryptocurrency, online undercover operations, and digital forensics. “The result was a principled and fit sentence for this corrosive offence,” Glasner stated, underscoring the intricate nature of modern terrorism financing.
Jessica Davis, president of Insight Threat Intelligence in Ottawa and an expert on terrorism financing, emphasized the significance of this conviction. “This is the third terrorist financing conviction in Canada, which in and of itself is significant,” Davis noted. She added that such cases serve as a deterrent to those contemplating similar actions, stating, “It’s an important signal to others who might seek to send funds to terrorist groups abroad that they can be caught.”
Yousuf’s arrest in July 2023 followed a two-year investigation conducted by the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, in collaboration with the FBI and Spain’s Guardia Civil. His activities were part of a broader international network that utilized encrypted messaging platforms to further ISIS’s cause, according to law enforcement sources.
This case emerges amid a noted increase in ISIS-related activities in Canada, particularly among the youth. Recent arrests across the country have heightened concerns about youth radicalization and the efficacy of immigration security screening processes.
The use of cryptocurrency and online platforms for terrorist financing remains a growing concern in Canada. This case highlights the need for robust security measures and increased public awareness to combat such threats effectively.
