RCMP arrest man on weapons charges as part of national security investigation
Posted March 26, 2016 2:17 pm.
Last Updated March 26, 2016 7:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A 23-year-old man is facing weapons charges a day after being arrested by the RCMP anti-terrorism police.
Authorities arrested Kevin Omar Mohamed on Friday afternoon in pursuant to Section 810.011, Fear of Terrorism Offence, of the Criminal Code of Canada Section 83.
According to his lawyer Anser Farooq, Mohamed was picked up in connection with online chats he claims were misinterpreted by the Crown.
“The allegations are from the Crown’s end about certain communication, and the purpose and intent of that communication is something that the court has to decide,” he said. “The crown’s view is that it’s not appropriate communication.”
Mohamad appeared in court on Saturday and was charged with weapons dangerous and carrying concealed weapon. Farooq said the weapons charges are in relation to a knife.
“They keep saying weapons … we want to make sure that this weapon is not something that people need to be scared of,” he explained.
Mohamad was not charged with any terrorism offences.
“While there was no indication of any plans for a domestic attack, we must remain committed to preventing individuals from travelling abroad to gain training and expertise that could be used in the planning and implementation of future attacks on Canadian soil,” Superintendent Lise Crouch, assistant criminal operations officer in Ontario, said in a statement.
Farooq said his client is doing okay but said he is confused about everything that has happened.
The RCMP stated that this arrest is in no way linked to the terrorist attacks that occurred in Brussels.
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