World · North America · 10 hrs ago
Toronto 18 ringleader Zakaria Amara granted full parole
Zakaria Amara has been granted full parole by Canada's Parole Board, which found he no longer shows signs of extremist beliefs.
Amara was one of the ringleaders of the Toronto 18 plot, a homegrown terrorist plan dismantled in 2006.
He helped recruit people for a group that planned attacks to demand the withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan, including truck bombings in Toronto.
Amara pleaded guilty to participating in a terror group and was sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole for 10 years.
He had spent four years on day parole, under close supervision, and the board said it saw positive changes in his behaviour and attitude.
He plans to live in his own home and keep his full-time job, but must continue counselling and follow strict conditions, including limits on phone and internet use and financial monitoring.
Zakaria Amara, a ringleader of the thwarted Toronto 18 terror plot, has been granted full parole by the Parole Board of Canada.
The board said he no longer showed signs of holding extremist beliefs or radical ideologies.
Amara, 41, had been on day parole with multiple conditions for four years.
The board said he had worked to deradicalize while incarcerated and showed positive change in attitude and behaviour.
His full parole remains subject to conditions, including counselling, financial monitoring and restrictions on phone and internet use.
- Who
- Zakaria Amara, one of the ringleaders of the Toronto 18 terror plot.
- What
- The Parole Board of Canada granted him full parole.
- When
- The board issued its written decision on Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Canada. The planned attacks targeted locations around Toronto and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service headquarters.
- Why
- The board found he no longer showed signs of extremist beliefs and said he had made positive changes while on day parole.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Amara was arrested in national security raids after helping recruit members for the group.
The parole board said Amara’s ideology began to shift.
Amara began day parole with multiple conditions.
The board reviewed Amara’s case.
The Parole Board of Canada issued its decision granting Amara full parole.
- Age
- 41
- Sentence
- Life in prison, with no chance of parole for 10 years
- Day parole
- Four years
- Planned targets
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service headquarters, Toronto Stock Exchange building and a military base
- Full-parole conditions
- Counselling, financial monitoring, and phone and internet restrictions
3 sources
Failed Toronto 18 terror plot ringleader granted full parole
Terror plot ringleader of Jihadist group 'Toronto 18,' which planned to bomb several locations and storm government, granted full release because parole board says he's 'polite and quiet'
Toronto 18 ringleader no longer shows signs of extremism, granted full parole: board
What people are saying
any signs of holding onto extremist beliefs or radical ideologies
for its intended rehabilitative purpose
positive change, both in attitude and in behaviour
any signs of holding onto extremist beliefs or radical ideologies
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Don’t worry, Canadians! The terrorist who plotted to storm Parliament Hill and bomb Toronto has been miraculously cured of extremism. The Parole Board says Canadians can sleep soundly.