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Canada foils 'al-Qaeda linked' terror attack on train Canada foils 'al-Qaeda linked' terror attack on train
(35 minutes later)
Two foreign men living in Canada have been charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a passenger train, with support from al-Qaeda elements in Iran. Two foreign men living in Canada have been charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a passenger train with support from al-Qaeda elements in Iran.
The authorities say suspects Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35, were arrested in Montreal and Toronto on Monday.The authorities say suspects Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35, were arrested in Montreal and Toronto on Monday.
They allegedly planned to derail a passenger train in the greater Toronto area, but it is not clear when.They allegedly planned to derail a passenger train in the greater Toronto area, but it is not clear when.
Iran has denied any link to the suspects being held in Canada.Iran has denied any link to the suspects being held in Canada.
Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told a press conference that the politics of extremists did not conform with those of Iran. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told a press conference that the politics of extremists did not conform with those of Iran.
He accused Canada of following an "Iranophobic" project over the past few years.He accused Canada of following an "Iranophobic" project over the past few years.
The two suspects will appear in court on Tuesday for a bail hearing.The two suspects will appear in court on Tuesday for a bail hearing.
'Strong resolve' The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said the surveillance operation leading to the arrests was "a result of extensive collaborative efforts".
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said the surveillance operation leading to the arrests of the two suspects was "a result of extensive collaborative efforts". It said that FBI agents from the US were involved in helping to foil the attack.
They said the two men were not Canadian citizens and were supported by "al-Qaeda elements in Iran" but there was no evidence of state sponsorship. The RCMP said the two men were not Canadian citizens and were supported by "al-Qaeda elements in Iran" although there was no evidence of state sponsorship.
Their plan was to derail a VIA train and "kill and hurt people". Their plan was to derail a train operated by VIA Rail and "kill and hurt people".
Chief Supt Jennifer Strachan said the two men had sought to target "a specific route, but not necessarily a specific train". RCMP Chief Superintendent Jennifer Strachan said the attack was "definitely in the planning stage but not imminent".
VIA operates passenger rail services across Canada. "We are alleging that these two individuals took steps and conducted activities to initiate a terrorist attack," she said.
At the same time, the RCMP said they believed the plot was in the planning stage and "there was no imminent threat to the general public". "They watched trains and railways in the Greater Toronto area."
"Each and every terrorist arrest the RCMP makes sends a message and illustrates our strong resolve to root out terrorist threats and keep Canadians and our allies safe," Assistant Commissioner James Malizia said. Chief Supt Strachan did not say if the route being targeted was a cross-border route with the US.
The RCMP also said that FBI agents from the US were involved in the operation to foil the attack. RCMP Assistant Commissioner James Malizia said: "Each and every terrorist arrest the RCMP makes sends a message and illustrates our strong resolve to root out terrorist threats and keep Canadians and our allies safe."
VIA Rail, which operates passenger rail services across Canada, said that "at no time" were passengers or members of the public in imminent danger.
There was no connection between the plot and last week's Boston Marathon bombings, a US justice department official was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.There was no connection between the plot and last week's Boston Marathon bombings, a US justice department official was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the arrests showed that terrorism continued to be a real threat to Canada.
"Canada will not tolerate terrorist activity and we will not be used as a safe haven for terrorists or those who support terrorist activity," he said in parliament.