2 charged in 'al-Qaeda-inspired' Canada Day bomb plot
'We will not let suspicion darken our hears,' says B.C. Premier Christy Clark
CBC News Posted: Jul 2, 2013 9:23 AM MT Last Updated: Jul 2, 2013 1:14 PM MT
Two B.C. residents have been charged in an al-Qaeda-inspired Canada Day terror plot that involved pressure cooker bombs similar to the ones used in the Boston Marathon bombings.
RCMP released this image of 'inert' explosive devices seized in the thwarted bomb plot. (RCMP)
Amanda Marie Korody, 30, and John Stewart Nuttall, 39, both of Surrey, B.C., have each been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity and possession of an explosive substance.
They were arrested Monday and are accused of building explosive devices with the "purpose of causing death or serious bodily injuries," which were placed outside the B.C. legislature in Victoria on Canada Day.
RCMP say the contents of the improvised explosive devices included nuts, bolts, nails, washers and other materials intended to kill or maim people.
RCMP say one of the improvised explosive devices created with a pressure cooker was filled with rusty nails. (RCMP)
Police said Korody and Nuttall, both Canadian-born citizens, were "inspired by al-Qaeda ideology" but added the incident has no international links.
At the press conference, police said the pair were self-radicalized and had discussed a wide variety of targets and techniques.
Police said the threat was real but at no time was the public at risk, as the threat was detected early and disrupted. Police added they were in tight control as the devices were constructed.
Both Korody and Nuttall were arrested in Abbotsford, B.C., and are now in police custody in Surrey. They are expected to make a court appearance this afternoon.
'Profoundly shocking'
At a news conference in front of the legislature following the RCMP announcement, B.C. Premier Christy Clark said she was informed of the "profoundly shocking" incident on Monday.
RCMP say the contents of the pressure cooker bombs included nuts, bolts, nails, washers and other materials intended to kill or maim people. (RCMP)
She thanked the police investigators involved, saying terrorists "will not succeed in tearing down the values that make this country strong."
Clark said British Columbians will be vigilant in the wake of the threat but won't let fear grip them.
"We will not let suspicion darken our hearts," she said.
The investigation, dubbed Project Souvenir, was launched in February 2013 and co-ordinated by the RCMP-led Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams, which includes investigators from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Canada Border Services Agency.
