CBC News - Canada Day bombing plot targeted B.C. legislature

Canada Day bombing plot targeted B.C. legislature

Two B.C. residents charged in an alleged al-Qaeda-inspired terror plot that involved placing pressure cooker bombs at the B.C. legislature in Victoria during Canada Day celebrations, made a brief court appearance in Surrey, B.C. today.

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Two B.C. residents charged in an alleged al-Qaeda-inspired terror plot that involved placing pressure cooker bombs at the B.C. legislature in Victoria during Canada Day celebrations, made a brief court appearance in Surrey, B.C. today.

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.

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.

Suspects appear in court

Both Korody and Nuttall were arrested in Abbotsford, B.C., and appeared briefly this afternoon in court in Surrey.

RCMP say one of the improvised explosive devices created with a pressure cooker was filled with rusty nails.RCMP

Nuttall appeared about six-feet three-inches tall and very thin, with amateurish tattoos, scraggly goatee and long limp hair. He smiled at Korody and spoke briefly to the duty counsel assigned to the case.

Korody appeared very twitchy, biting her lips as her eyes darted around the courtroom as she repeatedly to make contact with Nuttall during the brief court appearance. She appeared to be about average height and weight, and also had very unkempt hair.

Korody and Nuttall are scheduled to appear in court again next Tuesday.

On the music website Reverbnation, a page that appears to belong to Nuttall has the lines for a song entitled In League With Satan.

"We are possesed (sic) by all that is evil. The death of your god we demand. We spit at the virgin you worship. And sit at Lord Satans Left Hand," say the lyrics.

'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."

"Our Parliament stands strong. We are back at work today, undeterred and unafraid. A day after thousands of people gathered on these grounds to celebrate our nation's greatest day," the premier said.

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. Instead we will remain open-hearted, depending on one another, trusting each other. And we will not be seized by anger. Instead, we will continue to look toward the future of this great province with open hearts and with optimism," said Clark.

CSIS, RCMP co-operation key

Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the arrests were the result of close work between police and security agencies.

The investigation, dubbed Project Souvenir, was launched in February 2013 and co-ordinated by the RCMP-led Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams, which include investigators from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Canada Border Services Agency.

"The success of this operation was due to the close collaboration of our security and law enforcement agencies, including CSIS, said Toews in Ottawa on Tuesday afternoon.

"I would like to applaud the RCMP-led Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams — known as INSET — and all of the partners for their outstanding work on this investigation."