A man from Ontario, aged 38, who was facing a rare charge under Canada’s state secrets law for disclosing sensitive information to a foreign entity or terrorist group, has been found not criminally responsible. The incident occurred when he shared a YouTube video revealing vulnerabilities in a nuclear power plant and providing instructions on causing damage. The individual, James Alexander Mousaly, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and psychosis during the time of the livestream on January 30, 2024.
According to the ruling by a judge in Oshawa, Ont., Mousaly, who was an employee of Ontario Power Generation, believed he was a prophet and whistleblower on workplace safety due to his delusions. The video was removed by his family within a day of being posted, and there is no evidence that it reached a large audience.
Transcripts of the livestream showed Mousaly expressing anti-nuclear sentiments and offering assistance to any group wishing to attack nuclear power stations worldwide. An expert from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission confirmed that the video contained classified information about a vulnerability in a Canadian nuclear plant. The disclosed information was believed to aid in optimizing an attack on a nuclear facility in Canada or abroad.
Mousaly, who had been working as a nuclear operator since 2015, had his site credentials revoked before the incident. His lawyer stated that Mousaly did not intend to cause harm but wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear power. The court ordered his detention in a specialized mental health facility, where a mental health review board will determine the appropriate course of action.
The charge against Mousaly falls under Section 16(1) of Canada’s Security of Information Act, now known as the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act. This is only the third time charges under this act have been concluded in court, with previous cases involving individuals convicted for leaking sensitive information.
