RCMP, York Regional Police and other police services worked together to halt a potential terrorist attack, making arrests in Richmond Hill July 28.
Police arrested a Toronto father and son at an undisclosed hotel in the city on terrorism-related charges.
Police do not believe there is any threat to the public at this time but said the men were suspected of planning a terrorist attack on a small scale in Toronto.
GTA INSET (integrated national security enforcement team) completed the investigation, comprised of police forces from throughout the GTA. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs, regional commander for central region, said the arrest took that combined effort.
“I want to emphasize there is no evidence to suggest that there is any remaining risk to the public,” Peggs said. “I’d also like to say that I’m very proud of the impressive team effort that went into this investigation.”
Police members recounted they found the two men with an axe and a machete during the arrest.
RCMP Supt. James Parr said there were no serious injuries during the arrest.
The teams responsible “completed their job in a tactical matter. They did it exactly the way they were trained and it went off exactly the way it was planned,” Parr said.
York Regional Police officers were involved and helped with the processing of the suspects.
“We are committed to supporting our policing partners in the realm of national security. We will support them where necessary,” York Regional Police Supt. Rhonda Corsi said.
Police kept some details under a publication ban, which Carr said was to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Carr said police are not aware why the suspects were in Richmond Hill in particular, but the target was a Toronto location. What the exact target would have been is still under investigation, he said.
Peggs said it is best to treat this as the actions of individuals rather than by communities.
“It is necessary to treat terrorism as serious, but to treat it as a criminal act,” he said. “It is individuals that are terrorists and are criminals.”
The suspects have a home in Toronto and are Canadian citizens, police said.
Ahmed Eldidi, 62, and Mostafa Eldidi, 26, face charges of:
- Participation in the activities of a terrorist group
- Facilitating terrorist activity
- One count each of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Conspiracy to commit murder
Ahmed Eldidi also faces an additional charge of aggravated assault.
Both individuals are to appear in court virtually Aug. 1 at 9 a.m.
