One of the suspects in an alleged bomb plot in Ontario is accused of plotting to storm Parliament, behead the prime minister and attack a number of sites, including the CBC building in Toronto, his lawyer says.
Lawyer Gary Batasar, who represents Steven Chand, also known as Abdul Shakur, made the comments on Tuesday after a court appearance in Brampton, Ont., for 15 of 17 suspects arrested under Canada's Anti-terrorism Act on the weekend.
"My client's alleged to have been part of a plot to blow up Parliament Buildings in Canada, storm the CBC, take over the CBC, as well as, among other things, behead the prime minister," Batasar said.
Gary Batasar, lawyer for Steven Vikash Chand, said he was given an eight-page synopsis of the allegations.
(CBC)
Batasar said he was given an eight-page synopsis of the allegations, including storming Parliament, blowing up some of the buildings and taking politicians hostage to demand the withdrawal of Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
If the demands were not met, it is alleged, the hostages would be beheaded. The documents allege that Chand, 25, personally wanted to behead Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Police allege the accused — 12 adults and five youths — were inspired by al-Qaeda and planned to make bombs to attack targets in Ontario. None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Heavily armed police stand on guard on Tuesday outside the courthouse in Brampton, Ont.
(CBC)
Bail hearings postponed
Defence lawyers asked that the bail hearings be postponed, saying they did not have enough time to prepare and had not seen the evidence against their clients.
The judge granted their requests, rescheduling most of the bail hearings to June 12, and the suspects were remanded into custody.
The lawyers also complained about a number of restrictions placed on their clients. They are in solitary confinement, under 24-hour surveillance and have been denied access to family members.
Lawyer Donald McLeod said he and his colleagues have only been able to speak to their clients through Plexiglas and want private visits with them.
The defence lawyers also alleged that clients' rights were being violated because a guard in full riot gear was always present when a lawyer held a privileged conversation with a client.
They demanded the situation be changed or said they would go to court on June 12 to get a court order to be allowed to communicate with their clients in private.
Armed guards patrol courthouse
As many as 400 police officers and security officials were involved in the series of raids in southern Ontario that led to the arrests on June 2 and June 3, in the largest operation carried out under the Anti-terrorism Act.
The suspects arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday in unmarked police vehicles, under the watchful eye of armed guards patrolling the area. They were led inside the courtroom shackled together in groups of four, wearing prison-issued white T-shirts and grey pants.
Security was tight but appeared somewhat scaled back compared with the first court appearance of the suspects on Saturday.
During that appearance, snipers could be seen on rooftops and heavily armed police officers were posted inside and outside the courtrooms.
Scores of media from both Canada and the United States lined up at the courthouse Tuesday to secure a spot inside. Family members of the suspects were met by throngs of reporters as they entered.
Charges against suspects
All the adult suspects face terrorism-related charges:
- The 12 men have been charged with knowingly participating, directly or indirectly, in the activity of a terrorist group.
- Those charges relate to activities in Mississauga, Ont., Toronto and the Township of Ramara, which is located about 150 kilometres north of Toronto.
- On Monday, six of the men were also charged with planning to cause a deadly explosion.
- Three of the suspects have been charged with importing firearms and prohibited ammunition, and supplying prohibited weapons.
- Ten of the men are charged with engaging in terrorism-related training. Residents in Ramara reported hearing gunshots from an area where men were seen dressed in camouflage gear.
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