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Canada terror plot inspired by Al-Qaeda

Peter Beaumont— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Three tonnes of explosives seized in raid

TORONTO (CANADA): A terrorist plot, apparently inspired by Al-Qaeda, to bomb targets across Ontario has been broken up by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). In a series of co-ordinated raids Canadian police arrested 17 individuals, including five youths, who they say were planning a series of attacks. All those involved were charged with terrorism offences.

After the raids, which began on Friday night, officers revealed they had seized almost three tonnes of ammonium nitrate, the same chemical used in the Oklahoma City bombing in which 168 persons were killed in 1995. As sketchy details emerged of the arrests, a spokesman for the RCMP said it "had arrested a number of individuals who were planning to commit a series of terror attacks against targets here in southern Ontario."

All the men arrested lived in Canada and most were Canadian citizens, officials said. "This group holds a real and serious intent," RCMP Assistant Commissioner Mike McDonell said.

"This group took steps to acquire three tonnes of ammonium nitrate and other components necessary to create explosive devices," said Mr. McDonell.

While the officials have not said what specific targets the suspects might have had, Mr. McDonell confirmed that Toronto's mass transit system was not a target. Police added that some of those arrested had attended a "terrorism training camp."

In March 2004, Ottawa software developer Mohammad Momin Khawaja became the first Canadian charged under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act for alleged activities in Ottawa and London. Khawaja was also named, but not charged, in Britain for playing a role in a foiled bomb plot. He is being held in an Ottawa detention centre, awaiting trial.

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