Outside the Beltway

Two Arrested in Terrorism Plot in Ottawa (Updated)

· Monday, April 22, 2013 · 6 comments

Two men have been arrested in Ottawa in connection with a terrorist plot to bomb a train:

TORONTO, April 22 (Reuters) – Canadian police said on Monday they had arrested and charged two men with an “al Qaeda-supported” plot to derail a passenger train.

“Had this plot been carried out, it would have resulted in innocent people being killed or seriously injured,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police official James Malizia told reporters in Toronto.

The RCMP said it had arrested Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, of Montreal, and Raed Jaser, 35, of Toronto in connection with the plot, which authorities said was not linked to the Boston Marathon bombings, but likely had connections to al-Qaeda.

Neither is a Canadian citizen.

This is a breaking story and some of the things presently being reported may change as we know more. At this point:

  • There does not appear to be any connection between this plot and the Boston Marathon bombing.
  • The plot was “al Qaeda-supported” whatever that means.
  • Two men have been arrested, neither Canadian citizens.
  • It is being reported that the plot was guided from Iran.

Update

The official statement on the arrests from the RCMP is here.

From the press conference:

Police said the two accused were getting “direction and guidance” from al-Qaeda elements in Iran. There was no information to suggest the attacks were state sponsored, police said.

FILED UNDER: Terrorism, , , , ,
Dave Schuler
About Dave Schuler
Over the years Dave Schuler has worked as a martial arts instructor, a handyman, a musician, a cook, and a translator. He's owned his own company for the last thirty years and has a post-graduate degree in his field. He comes from a family of politicians, teachers, and vaudeville entertainers. All-in-all a pretty good preparation for blogging. He has contributed to OTB since November 2006 but mostly writes at his own blog, The Glittering Eye, which he started in March 2004.

Comments

  1. PD Shaw says:
    Monday, 22 April 2013 at 17:23

    “al-Qaeda elements in Iran”

    Now, that’s an interesting combination.

  2. pcbedamned says:
    Monday, 22 April 2013 at 17:46

    Yep – there it is. The “Iran Connection”.

    I am Canadian, and not buying this one iota. Very convenient for Mr. Harper, no? (and I even voted for the bugger…*sigh*)

  3. Rafer Janders says:
    Monday, 22 April 2013 at 19:25

    @PD Shaw:

    “al-Qaeda elements in Iran”

    That doesn’t make any sense. That’s like saying “Yankees elements in the Boston Red Sox.” The two groups hate each other and wish each other dead. (The Yankees and Sox, I mean).

  4. matt bernius says:
    Monday, 22 April 2013 at 19:30

    @Rafer Janders & @PD Shaw:

    It only makes sense if it’s a group that is wholly unconnected with the Iranian Government (in the same way that al-Qaeda was unconnected to the Iraqi government).

    Of course, if that’s the case, then why bother mentioning the Iran part?

  5. PD Shaw says:
    Monday, 22 April 2013 at 20:20

    @Rafer Janders: Or like Hitler forming a pact with Stalin. I think its interesting because of the tension, not because its impossible.

  6. PD Shaw says:
    Monday, 22 April 2013 at 20:22

    Though on the other hand, Canada is no Poland. No offense, pcbedamned.

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