By Canadian Press

Supreme Court orders new trial on criminal organization charge over jury instruction

Jul 14, 2023 | 8:47 AM

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has set aside a man’s conviction for taking part in the activities of a criminal organization, saying the trial judge’s instruction to the jury was insufficient.

In a 7-1 decision today, the top court ordered a new trial for Ahmed Abdullahi on the count in question, which stemmed from an investigation into the trafficking of illegal firearms in Ontario.

A jury found Abdullahi guilty of various firearm-related offences, and the convictions were upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal.

However, a dissenting judge disagreed in one respect, saying the trial judge erred by failing to adequately instruct the jury on the definition of a criminal organization in the Criminal Code.

That opened the door to a hearing for Abdullahi in the Supreme Court.

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

18h ago

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

Dec 11, 2024

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

Dec 11, 2024

His lawyers told the top court the trial judge’s instruction indeed fell short, meaning there should be a new trial on the count of participating in the activities of a criminal organization.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2023.

The Canadian Press