TORONTO – A man accused of plotting to derail a train in Canada with support from al-Qaida is asking to be represented by a defense attorney willing to use the "holy book" as a reference in his case.
During a hearing Thursday Chiheb Esseghaier requested a court-appointed lawyer who will use the "holy book" as a reference. The Tunisian-born Muslim was apparently referring to the Quran.
At a previous hearing, Esseghaier declined court-appointed legal representation. He said he did not recognize the court's authority, saying Canada's criminal code is "not a holy book."
The 30-year-old was arrested last month along with suspected accomplice Raed Jaser on charges of conspiring to carry out an attack and murder people in association with a terrorist group.
Esseghaier has not entered a plea.
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