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Terrorists, Al Qaeda, Toronto
Terrorism comes to Canada
Update
By Judi McLeodSunday, June 4, 2006
Toronto-The clear and present danger of terrorism arrived on Canada's doorstep last night changing forever theory that terrorism could never happen here.
Two Canadian Terror Suspects Previously Arrested at Peace Bridge in Buffalo, NY
Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and partners of the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested 12 adults–all Canadian residents, and some Canadian born–and charged them under Section 83 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Arrested and charged with offences under the Criminal Code of Canada are:
- Fahim Ahmad, 21, of Robinstone Drive, Toronto, Ontario;
- Zakaria Amara, 20, of Periwinkle Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario;
- Asad Ansari, 21, of Rosehurst Drive, Mississauga, Ontario;
- Shareef Abdelhaleen, 30, of Lowville Heights, Mississauga, Ontario;
- Qayyum Abdul Jamal, 43, of Montevideo Road, Mississauga, Ontario;
- Mohammed Dirie, 22, Kingston, Ontario;
- Yasim Abdi Mohamed, 24, Kingston, Ontario;
- Jahmaal James, 23, of Trudelle Street, Toronto, Ontario;
- Amin Mohamed Durrani, 19, of Stonehill Court, Toronto, Ontario;
- Steven Vikash Chand alias Abdul Shakur, 25, of Treverton Drive, Toronto, Ontario;
- Ahmad Mustafa Ghany, 21, of Robin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario;
- Saad Khalid, 19, of Eclipse Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario.
An additional five teens arrested in the foiled terrorist plot, who are unidentified, are considered as "Young Offenders" and it is debatable whether the Canadian Criminal Code is adequate to deal with them.
The suspected terrorists were described by authorities as being "inspired by al Qaeda".
According to police, the 17 arrested represent the full spectrum, with some of them being students, some employed, some unemployed.
"This group took steps to acquire three tones of ammonium nitrate and other components necessary to create explosive devices," said Assistant Commissioner Mike McDonnell. "To put this in context, the 1995 bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people took one tonne of ammonium nitrate."
A computer and walkie-talkies were included in the items confiscated by police.
At a press conference this morning, police were not specific about targets chosen by the suspected terrorists, defining them only as a number of targets in Southern Ontario.
Although police say the TTC was not a target, some media reports claim otherwise.
According to the Toronto Sun: "Though unconfirmed, sources have told The Sun police arrested a possible home-grown al Qaeda terrorist cell operating in Toronto that had planned to bomb the subway as early as Monday."
"Just three days ago, Sun columnist Joe Warmington wrote about two men spotted filming the subway system on May 23 at Keele Station, which raised alarm bells with Toronto police and CSIS." (Major terror bust in Toronto, Toronto Sun, June 2, 2006).
"But sources also tell the Sun that the RCMP "planted" that story with the media, though reasons remain unclear."
The Sun also says that "Police have been watching several alleged terrorist camps since 2004–one of which is reported to be in the Muskokas near Bracebridge and another near Thunder Bay, a police source told Warmington last night."
Less than two weeks ago, detectives with the Intelligence Bureau, Provincial Anti-Terrorism Section of the OPP told Canada Free Press that another location within the GTA had been under police investigation for the past year.
As the investigation has been underway for a number of months–and is ongoing–more arrests are possible.
Canada, which changed its government on January 23, has been criticized for its liberal laws on immigration.
With the acquittal of suspects in the Air India bombing case still fresh in the public mind, there is unease about the nation's capability of bringing alleged terrorists to justice,
In the Toronto Star's report that Mississauga brothers-in-law Ahmad Ghany and Zakaria Amara being charged in connection with plots to attack Canadian targets, criticism is already being leveled at police.
"However, shocked neighbours and family members say they don't believe the allegations." (Torstar Network, June 3, 2006). "I think they have it wrong. Those guys have nothing to do with (terrorism)," said Scarborough Imam Aly Hindy, a high profile critic of the RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service. He has accused the federal agency of targeting Muslims who criticize the foreign policies of Western governments.
"He believes this is what led to the arrests yesterday.
"Because they are young people, and they are Muslims, they are saying it's terrorism," he told the Star last night."
Meanwhile, there is no doubt that the threat of terrorism is no longer "over there" but part of life in Canada.
3 June 2006: Information forthcoming. Investigators with the Northeast Intelligence Network are working with Canadian sources to bring forth the details concerning an arrest of Canadian nationals, some of Middle Eastern origins and with Middle Eastern assistance, to attack multiple targets in Canada, including the Toronto subway system. All have been identified as having ties to al Qaeda or similar Islamic terrorist organizations.
The Northeast Intelligence Network in conjunction with CanadaFreePress.com will have additional information as available to be provided.
April 2006: April Toronto Explosion at Tim Horton's near Toronto Subway
Canada Free Press founding editor Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck and The Rant. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
