OTTAWA: Two foreign nationals have been arrested in
Canada in connection with an Al-Qaeda-supported plot to derail a passenger train in the
Toronto area, authorities said Monday.
Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35, were allegedly planning to carry out an attack on a Via Rail passenger train with help from
Al-Qaedain Iran, the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police said. The suspects “were receiving support from Al-Qaeda elements located in Iran” and “there’s no indication that these attacks were state-sponsored,” a spokesman said.
The plot “involved a domestic attack [with] planning being supported by Al-Qaeda. And when I speak about support, of course, I mean direction and guidance,” he added.
Authorities said the pair were “not Canadian citizens” but declined to reveal their respective nationalities. The main suspect lived in
Montreal for several years, another official added.
The suspects’ plans were “not based on their ethnic origins but on an ideology,” police said.
They are expected to appear in Tuesday for a bail hearing. Charges include conspiring to carry out an attack and conspiring with a terrorist group.
Police said the duo planned “to derail a passenger train,” though they wouldn’t specify on which route.
“We are alleging these individuals took steps and conducted activities to initiate a terrorist attack. They watched trains and railways in the Greater Toronto area.”
However, authorities said an attack was not imminent.
