Case of Halifax teen accused of online extremism shifted to restorative justice

HALIFAX — The case against a Halifax youth accused of being part of a violent extremist group has been referred to Nova Scotia’s restorative justice program now that four of the five charges against the teen have been withdrawn.

On Thursday, it was decided in youth court that the remaining charge of possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material would be referred to the program, which focuses on imposing conditions aimed at rehabilitation. Successful completion of the program typically results in charges being withdrawn.

In October, Halifax police said an investigation had uncovered evidence that a 16-year-old was part of the online group 764, whose members coerce children into harming themselves and engaging in sex acts on camera.

At the time, Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean said all parents should be paying attention to the case. He said members of 764 used common online social media and gaming apps to begin grooming their young victims. These platforms include Discord, Minecraft, Roblox, Telegram, Twitch and Steam, police said.

The chief said previous victims had been manipulated into recording, sharing or livestreaming sexual images, acts of self-harm, animal cruelty or violence against others.

“We believe the youth we arrested had, over time, communicated with hundreds of young people worldwide,” MacLean said on Oct. 28. The police force, however, declined to say whether any victims were believed to be in Canada.

Meanwhile, a member of the RCMP’s internet child exploitation unit alleged the accused was an active member of 764, adding that some perpetrators had coerced their victims to cut themselves and harm pets.

The Mountie said 764 was part of the Com Network, an international group classified by some countries as a terrorist organization. And investigators have said its members glorify violence and cruelty, and are motivated by notoriety, not money.

Police confirmed the youth was arrested in October following an investigation that started in May after Halifax police received a tip from the Canadian National Child Exploitation Crime Centre in Ottawa.

But in January, all but one of the five charges were withdrawn. At the time, Crown attorney Terry Nickerson said the prosecution had withdrawn charges related to inciting hatred, making obscene material and one count each of accessing and distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Nickerson said there was no realistic prospect of convictions on those charges.

It remains unclear why prosecution of the more serious charges was dropped. A representative from Nova Scotia’s Public Prosecution Service could not immediately be reached for comment.

As for Nova Scotia’s restorative justice program, it was established for youth across the province in 2001 and expanded to include adults in 2016.

This approach within the criminal justice system focuses on rehabilitating offenders through a process that typically involves those affected and the community at large. The process considers root causes and the circumstances of the crime to make plans to improve public safety. Typically, the plans include offenders committing to specific actions to address the harms caused.

The teen’s case is scheduled to return to Halifax youth court on Aug. 27.

By Michael MacDonald

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2026.