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The RCMP revealed Tuesday that an extremist “cluster” in Ottawa has spawned two Islamic State jihadists — and was trying to recruit more local young men to fight in Syria.

At an afternoon press conference, the RCMP announced the arrest of Awso Peshdary, 25, of Ottawa, who is alleged to be a key recruiter of overseas jihadists.

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His arrest represents one of the first cases in Canada in which an alleged terrorist recruiter has been identified and charged.

Chief Supt. Jennifer Strachan told reporters that Peshdary financed John Maguire’s travel to Syria in December 2012, and that the two men later recruited Algonquin student Khadar Khalib, 23, to fight on behalf of the Islamic State.

The allegations must all be proven in a court of law.

Khalib is now believed to be in Syria, where he has adopted the nom de guerre, AbdulBaqi Hanif.

Tuesday’s announcement means that six Ottawa area men have been charged with terror-related offences in the past month.