A crime and security analyst is calling the arrest of two people related to terrorism an “unusual” case, and outlines the process required before someone can be charged with terrorism under the Criminal Code of Canada.
On Friday morning, the RCMP arrested one youth and a second adult male after raids were conducted at two Kingston, Ont., residences.
The second adult male, identified as Hussam Eddin Alzahabi, 20, has since been released without charge.
The youth has been charged with “knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity” and “counselling a person to deliver, place, discharge or detonate an explosive or other lethal device” in a public place.
WATCH: Boy charged, man arrested in terrorism investigation in Kingston, ON
What stands out about the case is that it involves a young person, said Dave Perry, a former police detective and now CEO of Investigative Solutions Network (ISN), a private investigation firm.
“I find it unusual that they’ve arrested a second person, adult, and at least until now haven’t charged that person,” Perry said.
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Perry explained that in order to apply a terrorism charge, the “first thing you need is the consent of the attorney general.”
“The police typically have to go before the attorney general and show the actions were targetting either religion or national security or ideological ideas,” he said.
Under the Canadian Criminal Code, terrorism is defined as an act committed in whole or in part for a political, religious or ideological purpose, objective or cause, and that is done with the intent of intimidating the public or a segment of the public or compelling someone to do or refrain from doing something.
WATCH: There was a ‘confirmed attack plan’ in terror investigation: RCMP
RCMP Chief Spt. Michael LeSage said the investigation started in December 2018.
RCMP Spt. Peter Lambertucci, the officer in charge for INSET Ottawa, said “precursor” elements that could be used in explosives were found at one of the homes that was raided Thursday night, but officials say a bomb was never placed.
WATCH: RCMP confirms youth charged with terrorism in Kingston raids
Officials said they detonated and neutralized a “substance” at a nearby parking lot.
While the Youth Criminal Justice Act prevented police from identifying the individual charged, Perry says age makes no difference when confronted with a terrorist charge.
The youth appeared at a bail hearing in Kingston on Friday, and the case has been adjourned until Monday, when he will make another court appearance via video.
-With files from Rebecca Joseph, Stewart Bell and Amanda Connolly
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