Alleged Terror Suspect Was Member Of Cdn. Forces
Posted June 7, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The man accused of threatening to behead the Prime Minister was apparently once a member of this country’s military.
A published report suggests Stephen Chand served with the Royal Regiment of Canada, a Toronto-based unit.
However a military spokesperson said Chand, a reservist, didn’t complete many of the required qualifications and didn’t wear the uniform for long.
The 25-year-old is among 17 men and youths charged in an alleged terror plot targeting buildings and government institutions in Ontario. He made a court appearance Tuesday along with 14 of the accused.
Defence lawyers complained outside the Brampton courthouse that they wouldn’t be able to properly defend their clients unless they’re allowed better communication with them. Up to now, they’ve only been able to speak with the suspects through a Plexiglass window and the phone.
They argue it’s a violation of the Charter of Rights and plan to ask the judge to allow private visits.
Also certain defence lawyers feel synopses of the allegations provided to them by the Crown are too vague.
Since Friday’s arrests, rampant rumours have circulated over what the alleged terror cell’s plans were.
It’s been said truck bombs filled with ammonium nitrate might have been used to blow up the Toronto Stock Exchange, the CSIS building in downtown Toronto, the CN Tower, or the Peace Tower and Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.
Police said there would have been several bomb attacks going off simultaneously for maximum impact.
Other possible plans included bombing power plants or a military base, taking control of the Toronto CBC building, storming the House of Commons and taking politicians hostage, and the beheading of the P.M.
The alleged plan to take hostages on Parliament Hill was reportedly dropped early because the suspects had little knowledge of the nation’s capital.
In one report, 25-year-old suspect Fahim Ahmad was described as the ’emir’, or leader, of the alleged group.
Crown information suggests he was in contact with terrorist figures in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Britain and was in charge of final steps for the alleged attack on Canadian soil.
Fourteen of the suspects return to court Monday while the 15th comes back on July 4th.
