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Accused pledged allegiance to Islamic State, B.C. terrorism trial hears

A judge-only trial started on May 5, 2025, in B.C. Supreme Court for Abdul Aziz Kawam, charged with terrorism-related offences linked to a 2023 Surrey bus attack.
The attack on April 1, 2023, involved Kawam allegedly slashing a passenger's throat on a route 503 bus at Fraser Highway and 148 Street, leading to life-threatening injuries.
Expert Dr. Steinberg testified that the Islamic State frequently orchestrates attacks by planning, training, and directing operatives, and noted that a video recorded by the attacker containing an oath of allegiance indicates potential IS influence in this incident.
Steinberg identified Telegram as the Islamic State's preferred messaging platform, and certain Telegram text exchanges suggest that someone linked to IS had prior awareness of the Surrey attack, although clear evidence of direct IS involvement is limited.
The defence conceded that all elements of terrorism under Section 83.2 have been proven beyond reasonable doubt but left open the possibility of pursuing a verdict other than full conviction.

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