BY TOM GODFREY
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Removal plans are being made for Abshir Barre, of Toronto, who was convicted in Ontario Superior Court in July 2011 of robbing a man in the parking lot of a Dundas St. W., Internet cafe. A gun was used in the crime.
Police are searching for three young men, described as Somalians, who took part in the armed robbery but managed to escape.
Barre, 24, who was accepted in Canada as a refugee, faces deportation because of a lengthy criminal record, that includes convictions for breaching probation and failing to comply with recognizance.
Officials are trying to have him declared a danger to the public so he can remain in prison until deported.
Court heard that on the day of the incident the victim saw three men, who spoke English and Arabic, following him as he left the café for his car.
“One of the three pulled a handgun from a side pocket,” according to documents filed in court. “The one with the gun stuck it into his (victim’s) back and told him to give him all his stuff that he had.”
The gun was being brandished by an assailant in a black hoodie, court heard.
“He (the victim) was afraid for his life but determined that the best option to defuse the situation was to be friendly towards them,” the documents show.
“You’re not going to kill your Muslim-brother are you?”
Court was told the victim was called “white” and other racial slurs.
“This offender started complaining about white people who had burned the
Koran,” the court decision stated. “The assailants were angry about white people who were disrespectful of the Muslim faith.”
The victim was allowed to leave after 15-minutes of insults and threats. He called the cops.
Police spotted the suspects hiding behind a school but three managed to flee.
“The offender is fearful of being deported back to Somalia,” court documents show. “He stated he might as well be shot here because of the lawlessness there.”
An official of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said Barre is subject to a deportation order, even though he was accepted as a refugee.
His deportation will take place some time next year after he completes his jail term.