In 2006, a group of young men and teenagers were arrested under the Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act for planning to set off bombs in Toronto. They were known as the Toronto 18. One of the group’s leaders was a 20-year-old named Zakaria Amara. Michelle Shephard wrote about Zakaria Amara for The Walrus magazine. (https://thewalrus.ca/how-a-would-be-bomber-rebuilt-his-life/) Criminal is a show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Join Criminal Plus on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, listener chat rooms, behind-the-scenes content, and more membership perks. https://www.patreon.com/Criminal Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://pod.link/809264944 Say hello on Twitter (https://twitter.com/criminalshow) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/criminal_podcast) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thisiscriminal) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@criminal_podcast) Sign up for our occasional newsletter, which includes a note from Phoebe, behind-the-scenes photos, and things our team has been enjoying lately. https://thisiscriminal.com/newsletter We also make the podcasts This is Love (https://pod.link/1337100398) and Phoebe Reads a Mystery (https://pod.link/1503921457). Artwork by Julienne Alexander: http://www.yssrs.com/. Check out our online shop: https://shop.thisiscriminal.com/ Episode 335 originally published October 10, 2025. https://thisiscriminal.com/episode-335-zak-and-michelle-10-10-2025 Music in this episode: “Headlights-Mountain Road” by Blue Dot Sessions “Bogo” by Blue Dot Sessions “Li Fonte” by Blue Dot Sessions “Trailmaker” by Blue Dot Sessions “The Telling” by Blue Dot Sessions “Denzel Sprak” by Blue Dot Sessions “Galaxy Shard” by Blue Dot Sessions “When The Guests Have Left” by Blue Dot Sessions “Taoudella _ No Percussion” by Blue Dot Sessions