A Canadian citizen pleaded for Prime Minister Paul Martin to help him after being sentenced to four years in prison in Israel for allegedly planning attacks on Jews in North America.

Gaza-born Jamal Akkal has maintained his innocence since his arrest more than a year ago.  He insists he was tortured into confessing, CTV's Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Jerusalem.

"Even though he is not allowed to speak, in the short walk between the holding cell and the courtroom he did proclaim his innocence," Mackey Frayer told CTV News.

He called on the Canadian people to help him. "Today he directed that message directly to the Canadian prime minister," she said.

When she asked Akkal his message for Prime Minister Paul Martin, "Get me out of here," were his final words.

Under Wednesday's plea bargain, the 24-year-old, who has been accused of being a Hamas member, was sentenced to four years in prison and fined about $500 US after pleading guilty. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit manslaughter and receiving paramilitary training.

Akkal has said he didn't understand what he was confessing to because it was in Hebrew. Israel has denied allegations that he was abused.

Akkal was born in Gaza and moved to Windsor, Ontario, in 1999. He was arrested November 1, 2003 while visiting Gaza where he hoped to find a wife. He has said he was arrested after firing eight shots in the air.

The Israeli army accused him of meeting with the Islamic group Hamas to receive weapons training and plan attacks on Jews in North America. Akkal said he was approached by Hamas but didn't agree to carry out attacks.

With files from The Associated Press, The Canadian Press and CTV's Janis Mackey Frayer