A youth in Montreal has been arrested for allegedly planning to carry out a “major” terrorist attack in Canada.
Granted anonymity due to his age, the accused was arrested on Wednesday afternoon at his home in Cote-des-Neiges, in French-speaking Montreal, after some 40 police officers descended on the scene.
He is due to appear on Thursday at the province’s youth court facing three criminal charges under the Criminal Code: providing, making available property or services for terrorist purposes, participation in activity of a terrorist group, and facilitating terrorist activity.
Corporal Erique Gasse from the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) said the force’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (Inset) received a tip-off in April and began investigating.
Corporal Gasse told CTV News: “What we know now is that he had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
“He planned to do an attack on behalf of the Islamic State and the investigation shows up to now that he was planning to get long guns [such as] AK-47s to [carry out a] mass casualty [attack].”
A minor in Montreal has been arrested by Canadian Police for allegedly pledging allegiance to the Islamic State and intending to carry out a ‘major’ terrorist attack
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While he did not provide specific details, Corporal Gasse said the accused intended to launch the alleged attack against “various groups of people in Montreal”.
The minor also posted “threatening comments on social media”, according to the RCMP.
The first two criminal charges against the accused carry maximum terms of ten years in prison, while the third has a maximum penalty of 14 years.
It is understood the first charge of providing, making available property or service for terrorist purposes relates to gathering money to buy firearms.
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The minor also allegedly posted ‘threatening comments on social media’, according to the RCMP
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It comes after four men with ties to the Canadian military were arrested in July on terror charges.
The accused, who included two active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, were allegedly planning to forcibly take over land north of Quebec City through the creation of an anti-government militia.
According to the RCMP, the men were motivated by “ideologically motivated violent extremism”.
The RCMP declared countering radicalisation to violence as one of the Government’s main priorities
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The RCMP declared countering radicalisation to violence as one of the Government’s main priorities.
Corporal Gasse said: “We always say the same message, you know, talking to the population, if you hear something, if you see something in the street, on social media, don’t feel good with that, please do not hesitate – call your local police.
“This could be the start of a major investigation. We’re here to protect people. Help us protect you.”
