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A British Columbia man accused of traveling to Syria to join an armed Islamist group was allegedly on a no-fly list but evaded counter-terrorism authorities by assuming a false identity, according to those familiar with the case.

Hasibullah Yusufzai, 25, was already known to Canadian authorities because of a previous trip he had made to Afghanistan, but he allegedly still managed to make his way to Syria by using a passport that did not belong to him.

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The RCMP said Mr. Yusufzai had been charged under a new law that came into effect last year that made it a criminal offence to leave or attempt to leave Canada to engage in terrorism. He faces up to 14 years if convicted.

[np_storybar title=”” link=””]83.201 Everyone who leaves or attempts to leave Canada, or goes or attempts to go on board a conveyance with the intent to leave Canada, for the purpose of committing an act or omission outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would be an indictable offence under this or any other Act of Parliament for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years.

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