They were moderates until they became “Islamists.” Chiheb Esseghaier was a grad student. No doubt those around him assumed that he abhorred and condemned violence done in the name of Islam.
“Suspects charged in Via train terror plot have al-Qaida ties: RCMP,” from The Canadian Press, April 22:
TORONTO, Canada — Two Canadian residents were charged Monday for allegedly planning to attack a Via Rail passenger train in what the RCMP is calling the first known al-Qaida directed plot in this country.
Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, of Montreal, and Raed Jaser, 35, of Toronto, were arrested Monday morning.
Police said the suspects had been watching trains and railways in the Greater Toronto Area and were conspiring to derail a passenger train. They wouldn’t say how the suspects allegedly planned to attack, but said the plot had the “direction and guidance” from al-Qaida elements in Iran.
“This is the first known al-Qaida planned attack that we”ve experienced in Canada,” said Supt. Doug Best….