Merouane Ghalmi signs terrorism-linked peace bond

A 22-year-old Montreal man RCMP believe poses a risk to public security has signed a peace bond, agreeing to wear an electronic tracking bracelet and other conditions.

Merouane Ghalmi is also prohibited from communicating on social media with anyone in Syria or any one with links to a terrorist group.

A summons was issued for Ghalmi in February after the RCMP, via the Crown, requested the peace bond, citing fears that he could commit a terrorism-related offence.

He has not been charged with any offence and it isn't known why the Mounties are concerned about him. The contents of a sworn affidavit have been sealed.

Peace bonds have only been used eight times since 2001 for terrorism suspects six of them related to members of the 2006 Toronto 18 plot, and two others.

• Anti-terrorism powers: What's in the legislation?

The Conservative governmentintroduced theanti-terrorism Bill C-51earlier this year, whichwould make it easier for the RCMP to obtain apeacebond.

Existing law requires a fear that someone "will commit'' a terrorism offence before police can obtain apeacebond a tool that can mean jail unless a suspect abides by strict conditions, for instance that they surrender their passport and regularly report to police.

A new, lower threshold would be reasonable grounds to fear a person "may commit'' a terrorism offence.

Ghalmi, who hasn't commented publicly since word of the peace bond request became public, was a competitive mixed martial arts fighteras recently as 2012.

The peace bond will remain in effect for one year.