Via Rail terror plot foiled by arrests in Montreal, Toronto (with video) Monday, April 22, 2013

By Mark Kennedy and Douglas Quan, Postmedia News

A VIA Rail train was the target of a planned terrorist attack, the RCMP said Monday as it announced two arrests.

OTTAWA — Canadian police and intelligence agencies have made two arrests in connection with an alleged terrorist plan, supported by Al-Qaeda, to attack a VIA Rail passenger train.

Two suspects are in custody, one from Ontario and one from Quebec, following an RCMP counter-terrorism investigation.

It is alleged that they had planned to derail a VIA passenger train and they had been receiving “direction and guidance” from Al-Qaeda “elements” in Iran — though there is no information that the planned attacks were “state-sponsored”.

The announcement was made by the RCMP Monday at a news conference in Toronto.

The two people who are charged are 30-year-old Chiheb Esseghaier of Montreal and 35-year-old Raed Jaser of Toronto. Both men are not Canadian citizens, and the RCMP would not reveal their country of origin or how long they had been in Canada. A senior law enforcement official said Esseghaier is from Tunisia.

The two men are charged with conspiracy to carry out a terrorist attack and “conspiring to murder persons unknown for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group.”

It is alleged they were planning to carry out the attack in the Toronto area, after having watched trains and railways in the area.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner James Malizia, said the terrorist plot was foiled after a joint investigation, called Project Smooth, with other police forces that dated back to August of 2012.

“Had this plot been carried out, it would have resulted in innocent people being killed or seriously injured.”

He said that while the RCMP believed the two suspects “had the capacity and intent to carry out these criminal acts, there was no imminent threat to the general public, rail employees, train passengers or infrastructure.”

The RCMP, asked if there is the possibility of further arrests in the case, said the investigation is ongoing but would not say if further arrests will occur.

“Even with these successes it is very important that Canadians remain vigilant,” said Malizia. “Protecting Canada’s national security requires the awareness and active engagement of all of our citizens. A meaningful response to these threats begins on Canadian streets and in Canadian homes.”

He encouraged the public to bring any suspicious activities to the attention of the RCMP.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the investigation was an example of solid police work and cooperation among the RCMP, CSIS and other police.

“Our government will continue to be vigilant and take the steps necessary to protect Canadians and their families, and our allies who share our common values,” said Toews.

“Canadians can be assured that our government will stand firm in our commitment to protecting this country from terrorists and the fear they hope to generate.”

David Jacobson, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, issued a statement congratulating the RCMP.

“These arrests were the result of extensive cross-border cooperation, which is the hallmark of our relationship. Dedicated professionals on both sides of the border brought these arrests to fruition, and I thank them for their service and hard work.”

“This is an example of the United States and Canada working together to protect our citizens. It underscores the fact that we face serious and real threats, and that security is a shared responsibility. We all need to remain vigilant in confronting threats and keeping North America safe and secure.”

Earlier in the day, the CBC said the arrests were reportedly not connected to the two brothers who were accused in last week’s bombing in the Boston Marathon.

As well, sources tell the CBC there is no connection to another high-profile incident — in which friends from a London, Ont. High school joined Al-Qaeda and died earlier this year when they took hostages at an Algerian gas refinery.

mkennedy@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/Mark_Kennedy_