Suspect in throat slashing on Surrey bus facing terrorism charges

A man arrested after a bus passenger was seriously injured in a Surrey knife attack Saturday faces four terrorism charges.

The new charges of “committing an offence for the benefit of a terrorist organization” — specifically the Islamic State — were sworn against Abdul Aziz Kawam Monday. He also made an appearance in Surrey provincial court.

Kawam, born in 1995, was already facing four other counts laid Saturday, including attempted murder and assault with a weapon, after a man had his throat slashed while aboard a bus travelling on Fraser Highway and 156th Street.

A copy of the court document filed for the terrorism charges alleges there were two people assaulted by Kawam.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police said it happened around 9:30 a.m. and alleged Kawam took out a knife and slashed a passenger.