Saad Khalid, 19, in an undated photo, was one of the 17 men arrested June 2, 2006, in what Canadian police and security officials describe as a home-grown terrorist ring. (Reuters)

In a surprise move, one of the so-called Toronto 18 has pleaded guilty to aiding a 2006 terrorist plot.

Lawyer Russell Silverstein said Saad Khalid, 22, pleaded guilty Monday in Brampton, Ont. to a charge of intending to cause an explosion, but a judge banned publication of the plea until late Tuesday.

The ban on the proceedings was partially lifted after an application by the CBC and other media Tuesday.

The case has been set over to June when the judge will hear evidence on information behind the guilty plea.

Khalid is among the 12 adults and five youths charged with several terrorism-related offences.

The 18 men and young boys were arrested in the Toronto area and detained following an investigation by CSIS, Canada's spy agency.

Khalid is the first adult from the group arrested in the summer of 2006 on suspicion of terrorism to admit to playing a role in the alleged plot.

Seven of those accused have since had their charges stayed or dropped. One suspect, a minor at the time of his arrest, was convicted in September of conspiring to bomb several targets. The remaining individuals have yet to stand trial.

The suspects face charges including participating in a terrorist group, receiving training from a terrorist group, providing training and intending to cause an explosion that could cause serious bodily harm or death.

The offences allegedly took place between March and June 2006 in Mississauga and a rural township near Orillia, Ont.

The Crown alleges that the group planned to bomb the CN Tower, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Toronto CSIS office.

With files from The Associated Press