A “young person” was arrested and then charged in Ottawa for terrorism-related offenses, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Saturday. This person would have targeted, directly or indirectly, Jewish people.
According to the RCMP, the suspect was charged with facilitating terrorist activity by communicating instructional documents regarding an explosive substance.
A second accusation, namely having “knowingly instructed, directly or indirectly, a person to engage in terrorist activity against Jewish persons”, was also brought.
The RCMP has not released any information regarding the identity of the person arrested due to their age. The exact incident for which this person was charged has also not been revealed.
The investigation which culminated with the arrest which occurred on Friday mobilized several police forces, as well as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
“Hate has no place in Canada. I would like to thank the RCMP, CSIS and all the partners involved for their efforts,” reacted on the social network X the federal Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc.
Across the country, a surge in Islamophobic and anti-Semitic hate incidents has been observed in the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas, which has left thousands dead in the Gaza Strip and in Israel.
“The alleged terrorist plot targeting Jews in Ottawa should make us aware of the horrific rise in anti-Semitism since Hamas’ genocidal attack on Israel on October 7,” Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said on X .
“We must redouble our efforts to protect our communities and defeat anti-Jewish hatred,” he added.
Worrying trend
In a press release, the RCMP indicated that they had arrested five young people since last June for terrorism-related offenses.
She also noted “a worrying trend towards violent extremism and the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, particularly among young people”.
For this reason, the federal police force is asking parents and other adults in positions of authority, such as teachers or coaches, to be on the lookout for concerning behaviors that could be linked to violent extremism.
He cites among these behaviors the increasingly exclusive association with new social groups that support violence and the expression of ideas according to which violence is the only solution to problems.
“Violent extremism, whether religiously, politically or ideologically motivated, remains a significant threat to public safety. Persistent threats of extremist violence and terrorist violence must be taken seriously,” the RCMP said.
“If you are concerned that someone is considering, planning, or preparing to commit an act of violence or assist others in committing acts of terrorism, you should first contact your local police department. The sooner the better,” said the police force.