RCMP: Alleged Terror Plot In Canada Backed By al Qaeda In Iran; 2 Arrested -- CTV
The RCMP have arrested two people in connection with an alleged al-Qaeda-backed terror plot to derail a Via Rail passenger train.
CTV’s Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported earlier Monday that the train the suspects were targeting would have been travelling from New York to Toronto, and the attack would have occurred on the Canadian side of the border. The RCMP would not confirm the targeted train’s route.
Police identified the suspects as Chiheb Esseghaier, a resident of Montreal and Raed Jaser, a resident of Toronto. They were arrested Monday morning and are facing criminal charges including conspiracy to carry out an attack against, and conspiring to murder persons unknown for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group.
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More News On A Major Terror Plot Being Foiled In Canada
Alleged terror plot targeting Via train thwarted -- CBC
Two men arrested over ‘al-Qaeda inspired’ plan to attack a Via Rail train in Toronto area: RCMP -- National Post/Post media News
RCMP arrest two for 'al-Qaeda-supported' plot to bomb Via train -- Globe and Mail
2 arrested in terror plot against Canadian passenger train, police say -- CBS/AP
Canada thwarts 'al Qaeda-supported' passenger train plot -- Reuters
Two charged in Canada over alleged terrorist plot -- The Guardian
Canadian police: 2 arrested in al Qaeda-supported terror plot -- CNN
Canada foils 'al-Qaeda inspired' terror attack on train -- BBC
'Major terrorist' plot broken up by Canadian and U.S. authorities -- FOX News
My Comment: I live in Canada .... and I do take the VIA train (from Montreal to Ottawa) on a regular basis. Canada`s train service is a soft target .... there are no checks on boarding, and security is light to non-existent. I will not deny what I am feeling right now (troubled and angry) .... but I am also not surprised to hear of such a plot. In the past decade Canada has welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees and immigrants from many of the world`s trouble spots .... the fact that there are a few bad apples who wish to do us harm is unfortunate .... but expected. Kudos to Canada`s security and intelligence forces in stopping this plot.
Update: The Iranian connection to this story is troubling.