(Ottawa) A young Ottawa man who faces several charges for an alleged plot against the Jewish community is now charged with conspiracy to commit murder by involvement in a terrorist group.
In addition, the RCMP arrested and charged a second young person with terrorist offenses as an accomplice to the first.
In a press release released Friday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced two new charges against the first young person and three charges against the second.
The two people cannot be identified due to publication bans, and bail hearings have not yet taken place in an Ontario court.
The first young person was already facing charges, including facilitating terrorist activity by communicating instructional documents concerning an explosive substance. The charges also included knowingly directing, directly or indirectly, a person to engage in terrorist activity against Jewish persons.
It was announced on Friday that the two young people were charged with conspiring to commit murder “for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group”, as well as knowingly facilitating terrorist activity by making educational materials and propaganda accessible and exchanging.
The second young person is also accused of knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity by seeking to acquire a prohibited firearm.
“The RCMP is concerned about the growing trend of violent extremism, particularly the increase in youth participation,” national police said Friday. Online radicalization remains a concern, not only in relation to terrorism, but also in the broader area of grievance-based violence. Families, communities and police have a key role to play in preventing and disengaging from violent extremism. »
As young people now have more access to information than ever, it is essential that those in positions of influence ensure that the information and activities in which they participate are safe, added the RCMP.
Adults in positions of authority, such as parents, teachers and coaches, are encouraged to be extra vigilant when observing anything that might be of concern, especially given the abundance of online platforms, said the RCMP.
“Open and honest communication between young people and those who work with them and care about them is essential,” it was argued.