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Three suspected terrorists were arrested this week in Canada for allegedly plotting against targets in Canada and abroad. The suspects allegedly had plans and schematics to make improvised explosive devices. However, one of the suspects may have had aspirations other than bomb-making. Terror suspect Khurram Syed Sher appeared on Canada’s version of American Idol in 2008. Anchor Marco Werman has more. Download MP3
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MARCO WERMAN: You may have heard about the arrests this week of three terrorism suspects in Canada. The men have been charged with conspiracy to commit or support terrorist acts in Canada and elsewhere. Officials say the men had the materials to make improvised bombs, including electronic circuit boards that could be used as remote-control triggers. Well, there’s a surreal twist to this case. It seems one of the suspects once had other aspirations. Khurram Syed Sher auditioned for Canada’s version of American Idol in 2008. Here’s a clip from Canadian Idol when Sher introduces himself to the judges.
MALE SPEAKER: So you hail from Pakistan?
KHURRAN SYED SHER: Yes.
MALE SPEAKER: How long have you been here?
SHER: I’ve been here for a couple of years. I came in 2k five.
MALE SPEAKER: Okay, so what song you going to sing for us?
SHER: I can sing like different things, like Hilary Duff of Avril Lavigne.
MALE SPEAKER: Okay, so what are you going to sing first?
FEMALE SPEAKER: Whatever he wants.
SHER: Let’s take a vote. Whatever you guys say.
MALE SPEAKER: Complicated.
MALE SPEAKER: Complicated.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Sk8ter Boi.
SHER: I’ll sing a song.
WERMAN: That’s when Sher breaks out this version of Avril Lavigne’s song Complicated. To really appreciate his rendition of the song, though, you need to go to our website, TheWorld.org, to check out the dance moves. Sher starts by offering up his version of a moonwalk, then manages a fairly passable robot. But it was not enough to impress the judges.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Have you ever thought of being a comedian or…?
SHER: Not really. I like hockey.
MALE SPEAKER: [SOUNDS LIKE] Acting. The dance moves were good, the singing bad. I’m a no.
MALE SPEAKER: Now that was some genuine crap singing.
WERMAN: I guess he sounded more than just a little “pitchy.” Khurram Syed Sher gave up his singing dreams. He was working as a pathologist in Ontario up until his arrest this week. Now the 28-year-old is charged with conspiracy to facilitate terrorist activity. He made his first court appearance today.
WERMAN: I’ll say it’s complicated. This is PRI.
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