Video of ISIS-inspired throat-slashing in Surrey made public

Police have released a 2023 video of a man slashing a bus rider’s throat in Surrey, B.C., just minutes before calling 911 and pledging allegiance to ISIS.

Source: PICRYL

Police have released a 2023 video of a man slashing a bus rider’s throat in Surrey, B.C., just minutes before calling 911 and pledging allegiance to ISIS.

The video was previously shown in court during the trial of Abdul Aziz Kawam, 30, for attempted murder and terrorism-related offences.

Global News obtained the video surveillance footage entered as evidence at Kawam’s B.C. Supreme Court trial in New Westminster.

In the video, Kawam is seen assaulting a man with a knife at a bus stop near Fraser Highway and 156th Street before boarding a bus and slashing another passenger in the throat on April 1, 2023.

Security video from inside the bus shows Kawam walking onto the vehicle, followed a few seconds later by his victim.

Both stood near the rear exit doors of the bus and rode together in silence for approximately three minutes, not speaking or interacting.

Kawam then suddenly pulled out a large knife and slashed at the victim’s neck three times, intending to kill him, according to admissions submitted at trial.

As bus passengers are heard screaming in the video, the victim used his body to push Kawam out of the bus, while still managing to hold onto his coffee.

“He was bleeding out of his neck and he still managed to throw his attacker off the bus,” said Oren Bick, general counsel with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

True North was present in New Westminster’s B.C. Supreme Court when Kawam was deemed guilty in his judge-only trial.

This summer has been particularly eventful for terrorism-related charges in Canadian courts.

Earlier this year, a Quebec woman became the first to be convicted on terrorism charges for leaving Canada to join ISIS. She served a single symbolic day in prison after a guilty plea.

In B.C., meanwhile, another woman—who allegedly lived in Syria with the Quebec woman already convicted—is expected to be the first to go on trial for similar offences.

Kawam has been convicted, but sentencing is not expected until December and he remains in custody.