Three Toronto Men Arrested for Hate Motivated Crimes and ISIS Related Terrorism
Source: Toronto Police
Executive Summary
Canadian authorities arrested three Toronto area men in August 2025 following an investigation into attempted kidnappings targeting women and members of the Jewish community that later expanded into a terrorism probe linked to the Islamic State. One suspect, Waleed Khan, faces multiple terrorism charges including conspiracy to commit murder for ISIS and providing funds and online support to the group. The case highlights the convergence of hate motivated violence, criminal activity, and ISIS inspired radicalization amid heightened global threats to Jewish communities.
Analysis
The investigation indicates a credible nexus between hate driven violent crime and ISIS aligned extremist activity, with behaviors consistent with Islamic State propaganda and targeting priorities.
Toronto and Peel Regional Police linked two attempted kidnappings in May and June 2025 involving armed suspects who targeted women, with victims chased, threatened with firearms and knives, and sexually assaulted.
Searches of the suspects’ residences uncovered firearms, ammunition, and high capacity magazines, expanding the case from violent crime to national security concerns.
The RCMP charged Waleed Khan with seven terrorism related offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder for ISIS, providing cryptocurrency and property to the group, and operating a pro ISIS Telegram account while making himself available to act on instructions.
Authorities assessed the offenses as motivated in part by hate, specifically antisemitism and misogyny, aligning with recent ISIS propaganda encouraging attacks on Jewish targets and opportunistic violence in Western countries.
The arrests occurred days after the ISIS inspired Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack in Australia, amplifying concern among Canadian security agencies about copycat or inspired violence. Canada’s terrorism threat assessment agencies warned that while no imminent plots were known, attacks against Jewish holiday events remained a realistic possibility. Law enforcement emphasized that the case demonstrates how online radicalization and extremist ecosystems can intersect with local criminal behavior to produce real world threats. The imposition of a publication ban on evidence suggests investigators uncovered sensitive material relevant to both criminal prosecution and counterterrorism operations.
