 |
| A bystander is looking at the court at a
courthouse in Brampton, Ontario June 6, 2006.
(Xinhua/Reuters) |
OTTAWA,
June 6 (Xinhua) -- One of the 17 terror suspects arrested over the weekend near
Canada's business centre Toronto is accused of wanting to storm Parliament,
behead the prime minister and attack a number of important sites, his lawyer
said Tuesday.
Lawyer Gary Batasar, who represents 25-year-old
restaurant worker Steven Chand from Toronto, made the comments after a court
appearance in Brampton, Ontario, on Tuesday.
"The allegations are quite serious, including
storming and bombing of various buildings," Batasar said.
"There's an allegation that my client personally
indicated thathe wanted to behead the prime minister of Canada," he said.
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, Chand wanted to behead
Stephen Harper.
The 12 adults and five youths were arrested in
southern Ontario as part of the largest operation carried out under Canada's
Anti-terrorism Act. It involved as many as 400 police officers and security
officials.
Local media have reported the suspects are accused of
plotting terrorist attacks in different cities in southern Ontario. The targets
included political and economic symbols including the Parliament Buildings and
Peace Tower in capital Ottawa, along with the CN Tower and Toronto Stock
Exchange in Toronto.
The 15 people, with another two already in prison on
other crime charges, appeared at the court Tuesday amid tight security for the
second time after their first court appearance on Saturday. The bail hearing
could take several days, lawyers said.
The 12 adult suspects have been charged with
knowingly participating, directly or indirectly, in the activity of a terrorist
group. Six of them were also charged with planning to cause a deadly explosion,
which could result in life prison if convicted.
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. Enditem