ticatfan3
April 3rd, 2008, 12:12:14 PM
http://www.nationalpost.com/most_popular/story.html?id=417558
Terrorists plotted to blow up Canada-bound passenger planes over the mid-Atlantic in 2006, according to allegations that surfaced in a British courtroom Wednesday at the start of what police are calling the world's biggest terrorism trial.
Two Air Canada flights - one bound for Montreal and the other destined for Toronto - were allegedly among the targets of the Britain-based cell, whose members said in recorded videos they were angry about the "war against Muslims" in Afghanistan and Iraq.
London police said the terrorists intended "mass murder on an unimaginable scale," but counterterrorism investigators were tipped off by informants and installed surveillance cameras in the suspected bomb factory before moving in to make arrests on Aug. 9, 2006.
Documents released under the Access to Information Act show that Prime Minister Stephen Harper was briefed about the plot within hours of the arrests. A Memorandum for the Prime Minister dated Aug. 10 says Britain had "disrupted a major terrorist plot."
It says the RCMP was co-operating with police in the United Kingdom, and Canadian officials had stepped up airport and border security. "This plot underscores the seriousness of the continuing terrorist threat to Western interests," says the memo, written by Mr. Harper's staff.
But neither the memo, nor a second sent to the Prime Minister on Aug. 31, mention that Canadian flights were targeted - although parts of the documents were blacked out prior to being released to the National Post.
Calls to the government were referred to the office of Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, which issued a statement late in the day saying it would not be appropriate to comment on a matter before the courts.
Canada experienced the deadliest airline bombing in history in 1985, when an Air India flight from Vancouver that stopped in Toronto blew up off the coast of Ireland, killing 329, the majority of them Canadians.
The allegations that Canadian air travellers were again targeted surfaced for the first time Wednesday in London's Woolwich Court, as the judge, Justice David Calvert-Smith, outlined the case to 100 prospective jurors.
"This case concerns an allegation that in 2006, a number of men planned to create bombs which some of their number would take on board passenger aircraft flying from London Heathrow to various destinations in Canada and the United States," the judge said. "It is further alleged that the bombs were planned to be set off when the aircraft were airborne and the bombers and all on board the aircraft would be killed."
The eight suspects allegedly planned to board planes carrying liquid explosives hidden in sports-drink bottles. Police claim they intended to mix the ingredients in mid-air, causing an explosion. Up to 8 or 10 planes were to be hit at roughly the same time.
The plot does not appear to have any strong Canadian links. Canada was apparently targeted only because it had been identified by al-Qaeda as deserving to be attacked. The other flights targeted by the group were bound for major U.S. cities.
While the case may be unfamiliar to many Canadians, they will likely be well aware of its impact: It was this plot that prompted public-safety officials to ban gels and liquids from carry-on baggage.
On trial are: Umar Islam, a.k.a. Brian Young, 29, Abdulla Ahmed Ali, a.k.a. Ahmed Ali Khan, 27, Ibrahim Savant, 27, Assad Sarwar, 27, Tanvir Hussain, 27, Mohammed Gulzar, 26, Arafat Waheed Khan, 26, and Waheed Zaman, 23.
They face charges of murder conspiracy and endangering aircraft. The judge said jurors who have links to law enforcement or Heathrow Airport might be barred from serving, as well as those whose family flew to Canada or the United States in the summer of 2006.
Like several other recent terrorist plots, the case involves "homegrown" extremists - all are British citizens - and has alleged links to Pakistan. Terrorism expert Tom Quiggin said the plot appears to have its origins in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province. "Whoever is doing the research and training in the NWFP is doing a good job," he said.
Immediately after the arrests, Transport Canada prohibited passengers from carrying liquids on flights, and the Canada Border Services Agency "implemented heightened security procedures at all entry points," according to the memo to the Prime Minister.
In addition, it says, Transport Canada briefed airlines and airports early on Aug. 10, and the Public Safety ministry briefed provincial public safety and transport officials, as well as opposition leaders.
Terrorists plotted to blow up Canada-bound passenger planes over the mid-Atlantic in 2006, according to allegations that surfaced in a British courtroom Wednesday at the start of what police are calling the world's biggest terrorism trial.
Two Air Canada flights - one bound for Montreal and the other destined for Toronto - were allegedly among the targets of the Britain-based cell, whose members said in recorded videos they were angry about the "war against Muslims" in Afghanistan and Iraq.
London police said the terrorists intended "mass murder on an unimaginable scale," but counterterrorism investigators were tipped off by informants and installed surveillance cameras in the suspected bomb factory before moving in to make arrests on Aug. 9, 2006.
Documents released under the Access to Information Act show that Prime Minister Stephen Harper was briefed about the plot within hours of the arrests. A Memorandum for the Prime Minister dated Aug. 10 says Britain had "disrupted a major terrorist plot."
It says the RCMP was co-operating with police in the United Kingdom, and Canadian officials had stepped up airport and border security. "This plot underscores the seriousness of the continuing terrorist threat to Western interests," says the memo, written by Mr. Harper's staff.
But neither the memo, nor a second sent to the Prime Minister on Aug. 31, mention that Canadian flights were targeted - although parts of the documents were blacked out prior to being released to the National Post.
Calls to the government were referred to the office of Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, which issued a statement late in the day saying it would not be appropriate to comment on a matter before the courts.
Canada experienced the deadliest airline bombing in history in 1985, when an Air India flight from Vancouver that stopped in Toronto blew up off the coast of Ireland, killing 329, the majority of them Canadians.
The allegations that Canadian air travellers were again targeted surfaced for the first time Wednesday in London's Woolwich Court, as the judge, Justice David Calvert-Smith, outlined the case to 100 prospective jurors.
"This case concerns an allegation that in 2006, a number of men planned to create bombs which some of their number would take on board passenger aircraft flying from London Heathrow to various destinations in Canada and the United States," the judge said. "It is further alleged that the bombs were planned to be set off when the aircraft were airborne and the bombers and all on board the aircraft would be killed."
The eight suspects allegedly planned to board planes carrying liquid explosives hidden in sports-drink bottles. Police claim they intended to mix the ingredients in mid-air, causing an explosion. Up to 8 or 10 planes were to be hit at roughly the same time.
The plot does not appear to have any strong Canadian links. Canada was apparently targeted only because it had been identified by al-Qaeda as deserving to be attacked. The other flights targeted by the group were bound for major U.S. cities.
While the case may be unfamiliar to many Canadians, they will likely be well aware of its impact: It was this plot that prompted public-safety officials to ban gels and liquids from carry-on baggage.
On trial are: Umar Islam, a.k.a. Brian Young, 29, Abdulla Ahmed Ali, a.k.a. Ahmed Ali Khan, 27, Ibrahim Savant, 27, Assad Sarwar, 27, Tanvir Hussain, 27, Mohammed Gulzar, 26, Arafat Waheed Khan, 26, and Waheed Zaman, 23.
They face charges of murder conspiracy and endangering aircraft. The judge said jurors who have links to law enforcement or Heathrow Airport might be barred from serving, as well as those whose family flew to Canada or the United States in the summer of 2006.
Like several other recent terrorist plots, the case involves "homegrown" extremists - all are British citizens - and has alleged links to Pakistan. Terrorism expert Tom Quiggin said the plot appears to have its origins in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province. "Whoever is doing the research and training in the NWFP is doing a good job," he said.
Immediately after the arrests, Transport Canada prohibited passengers from carrying liquids on flights, and the Canada Border Services Agency "implemented heightened security procedures at all entry points," according to the memo to the Prime Minister.
In addition, it says, Transport Canada briefed airlines and airports early on Aug. 10, and the Public Safety ministry briefed provincial public safety and transport officials, as well as opposition leaders.