Advertisement

Cross-examination of FBI agent expected today at Via terror plot trial

Raed Jaser (R) and Chiheb Esseghaier (L) both face multiple charges in the alleged Via Rail plot. Not-guilty pleas have been entered for both of them. Pam Davies

TORONTO – Cross examination of an undercover FBI officer is expected to begin today at the Toronto trial of two men accused of plotting to derail a passenger train.

Not-guilty pleas have been entered for Chiheb Esseghaier and Raed Jaser, who face terror-related charges in the alleged plot targeting a train travelling from New York to Toronto.

The trial has heard secret audio recordings of conversations the men had with the FBI agent who gained their trust while posing as a wealthy American businessman with radical views.

Earlier this week, court heard Esseghaier was determined to forge ahead with the alleged terror attack even after Jaser backed out of the project.

The recordings indicate a brief encounter with police on a scouting mission in September 2012 led Jaser to abandon the alleged train plot, although he was still interested in coming up with another attack.

Story continues below advertisement

Court heard the alleged plan was to derail a train by targeting a railway bridge in December 2012, and Jaser and Esseghaier were arrested in April 2013.

Sponsored content

AdChoices