A Montreal minor arrested in connection with terrorism allegations was released with several conditions after appearing in court on Saturday.
Those conditions include staying in Quebec and handing over all travel documents to police. The youth cannot use the internet without supervision and can’t possess any weapons.
In a news release on Friday, the RCMP said information suggests the ”young man” had been plotting an attack targeting a school in the city.
He is alleged to have used artificial intelligence in the potential planning of the attack and to have posted threatening messages to the platform Telegram, targeting various groups including Muslims, Haitians and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, according to RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Érique Gasse.
“It’s tips we recieved from the FBI a couple weeks ago saying that this individual was planning an attack,” said Gasse.
The individual was arrested at his home on Friday morning as part of an investigation by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team — multi-agency teams that track and disrupt criminal activities of terrorist groups or individuals who pose a threat to Canada’s national security.
The police operation was intended to “disrupt the individual’s suspected activities,” according to the news release, and to seek a peace bond to allow for monitoring and de-escalation interventions.
The youth, who has not yet been charged, is set to appear in youth court on Sept. 3.
The RCMP said Friday he could be charged at a later date.