In Toronto, an individual from Ontario pleaded guilty to three terrorism charges connected to an international neo-Nazi terrorist organization. Matthew Althorpe, aged 29 and residing in the Niagara Region, admitted to engaging in terrorist activities, directing others to carry out such activities, and committing offenses for a terrorist group. Althorpe confessed to producing recruitment materials for Atomwaffen Division (AWD), an international neo-Nazi group designated as a terrorist entity by the Canadian government in 2021. He acknowledged his involvement in facilitating terrorist actions within Canada during the period of 2018 to 2022.
The Atomwaffen Division, established in the United States in 2013, expanded its reach to various countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany. The organization’s activities are reported to advocate violence against racial, religious, and ethnic groups, as well as law enforcement and governmental officials, with the aim of destabilizing society. After Atomwaffen Division was classified as a terrorist entity, former members purportedly joined “Active Club Canada,” according to the RCMP.
Althorpe, initially facing eight charges, reached a plea agreement on three charges following negotiations between the Crown and the defense. He remains detained at the Toronto South Detention Centre after being denied bail. Alongside his co-accused, Kristoffer Nippak, Althorpe was apprehended in December 2023 following an extensive RCMP investigation spanning central Quebec, eastern and northern Ontario, and the Niagara region. Nippak, charged with involvement in a terrorist group’s activities, was granted bail and is set to undergo a judge-alone trial in January.
Prosecutor Amber Pashuk presented the court with evidence seized from Althorpe’s computer, including manifestos, videos, and documents, demonstrating Althorpe’s involvement in producing propaganda material for recruitment purposes. The content promoted racist and violent ideologies targeting various minority groups. Althorpe’s defense lawyer informed the court that his client has distanced himself from his past actions. Ontario Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly ordered a psychiatric evaluation, with the next court appearance scheduled for Nov. 5 to determine a sentencing hearing date. The Crown is seeking a 20-year prison term, while the defense is advocating for a maximum of 14 years, with pre-trial detention taken into account.
