WATCH ABOVE: A lawyer for twin brothers arrested on terrorism offfences says his clients will vigorously defend themselves against the charges. Carlos and Ashton Larmond were arrested after a lengthy RCMP investigation. Vassy Kapelos reports.
OTTAWA – The Ottawa twin brothers arrested by RCMP Friday for terrorism offences made a brief court appearance Saturday.
Global National parliamentary correspondent Vassy Kapelos was at the Ottawa courthouse, and tweeting updates.
Carlos Larmond, 24, appeared via video from his Ottawa police cell. His case was adjourned until Feb. 12.
Ashton Larmond appeared moments after his twin brother. His case was also adjourned until Feb. 12. Both brothers were ordered not to communicate with one other while incarcerated.
The Larmonds’ lawyer, Joseph Addelman, says the case will test Canadian democratic ideals of freedom of assembly and freedom of religion.
READ MORE: Paris tragedies raise familiar question of how to deal with homegrown extremism
Carlos Larmond was arrested at Montreal’s Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Police say he was attempting to travel overseas for terrorist purposes. He has been charged with participation in the activity of a terrorist group and for attempting to leave Canada to participate in terrorist activity abroad.
Ashton Larmond was arrested in Ottawa. He faces charges of facilitating terrorist activity, participation in the activity of a terrorist group, and for instructing to carry out activity for a terrorist group.
The crown told reporters the charges against the brothers are very serious, with one of the offences carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison. The offences they are charged with carry a “reverse onus”, meaning the accused must show why they should be released pending trial.
RCMP say the arrests followed an investigation by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET). The Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police also played a role in the investigation.
With files from Vassy Kapelos.
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