Qayyum Jamal

Who is Qayyum Jamal?

A Canadian janitor and school bus driver, Abdul Qayyum Jamal was initially labelled the "ringleader" of an alleged terrorist plot in Toronto in June 2006 after a Canadian Member of Parliament reported his virulent criticism of Canadian troops in Afghanistan to police. He was held for nearly two years protesting that he "didn't do anything wrong", before all charges against him were dropped.

After spending much of his imprisonment in solitary confinement, his family announced they were pursuing legal action seeking millions of dollars in damages; including from the prison where he was incarcerated.

He claimed he was simply "winter camping" however, videos of the camp that emerged in court showed a much different picture, showing men in fatigues practising in the woods. He also did not feel the suspects were "radicalized" yet many of his fellow "campers" plead guilty to terrorism charges.