'I love jihad more than everything': Ismael Habib's computer focus of Crown's case

Information found on the personal computer of Ismael Habibin 2014 paints a portrait of a man looking for a way to leave Canada illegallyin the hopes of going to Syria or Iraq.

On Tuesday, an RCMP officer testified Habib, now 29, was searching for information on how to leave the country illegally, and specifically, how to get smuggled out of the country through the port in Montreal's Point-Aux-Trembles neighbourhood.

Terms like "false passport," "leaving Canada illegally," and "ISIS Syria" were searched on Habib's personal computer between 2013 and 2014, the court heard.

Habib is charged with attempting to leave Canada to commit terrorist acts and giving false information to obtain a passport.

The trial, now in its seventh day, is being heard by Quebec Court Judge Serge Dlisle at the Montreal courthouse.

Account under fake name

A key part of Tuesday's testimony involvedarchived written conversations in the program Skype.

The name of the Skype account was under "Stephane Leclair."

However, in a conversation with a woman from Sweden, the person writing from that account said his name was actually Ismael.

"Stephane is a name that I use for security," the conversation said.

The RCMP officer heavily implied Habib was the real person behind the account, which was logged into his personal computer.

"As for me, I love jihad more than everything," said a conversation found on the computer.

'Basically everyone could be a spy'

The conversations found on Habib's computer outline what his life might have beenlike during a three-month trip to Syria in 2013. He said he had a salary and was given food.

The writer said he "feels more at home" in Syria than anywhere else.

They also provide a glimpse into someone who was keenly aware he was being watched. The writer describes meeting a Canadian with whom he shared values only to discover he was working for the government.

"Basically everyone could be a spy," the writer said.

Habib was initially arrested by Gatineau, Que., police in February 2016and charged with criminal harassment, uttering threats and forging documents.

He was denied bail on those charges and was subsequently charged by the RCMP on the terrorism-related charge.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

• More on the trial:
  • AdilCharkaoui'smosque referenced as possible recruiting zone inHabibtrial
  • Habibconfesses to whipping Syrian prisoner, supporting ISIS in Mr. Big sting