Third man charged in relation to Via train terror plot

TORONTO – A third man has been charged in relation to a terror plot that was to target a Via Rail train in Canada.

The FBI announced Thursday that Ahmed Abassi, a Tunisian citizen who had lived in Canada and the U.S., has been charged with Visa fraud in order to remain in the U.S. to facilitate an act of international terrorism.

Abassi was arrested on April 22 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and arraigned on May 2. He pleaded not guilty.

For the latest on the suspects involved in the train terror plot, click here

“As alleged, Mr. Abassi came to the United States to pursue terrorist activity and support others in the same shameful pursuit. What Mr. Abassi didn’t know was that one of his associates, privy to the details of his plan, was an undercover FBI agent. The FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force partners will continue working tirelessly to protect the country from those who seek to do us harm,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos in a release.

According to an indictment, Abassi lived in Canada but traveled to the U.S. in mid-March 2013.

While in the U.S., Abassi met with Chiheb Esseghaier—currently incarcerated in Canada on terrorism charges related to the Via train terror plot—in New York City. Abassi was under surveillance and unknowingly maintained contact with an FBI undercover officer.

According to a letter obtained by Global News, hours of conversations between the undercover officer, Abassi and Esseghaier were recorded – the majority of which were not in English.

Esseghaier was allegedly radicalized by Abassi, who “discussed his desire to engage in terrorist acts against targets in the United States and other countries and his intention to provide support and funding to organizations engaged in terrorist activity,” according to the FBI.

In the letter to the presiding judge, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara wrote that Esseghaier had received “overseas training and plotted to engage in terrorist activity in the West.”

The letter also said Abassi suggested an alternative plot: “contaminating the air or water with bacteria in order to kill up to 100,000 people.” Bharara wrote that Esseghaier dismissed that plan.

Abassi also allegedly expressed intentions to support and fund terrorist organizations including the al Nusrah Front, which is an alias for Al Qaeda in Iraq, according to the U.S. Department of State. Abassi was also allegedly planning to recruit others for terrorist activities.

In depth: Al-Qaeda in Iran and the Canadian train terror plot

Abassi told the undercover officer he wanted to obtain immigration documents and to stay in the U.S. for future terrorist “projects” including recruitment, according to the indictment.

Following this, he allegedly made false statements on two immigration forms which he submitted. The indictment charges Abassi with “two counts of knowingly making false statements in an application to the immigration authorities for a green card and work visa in order to facilitate an act of international terrorism,” according to the FBI release.

Each of these counts holds a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Esseghaier, 30, of Montreal, and Raed Jasser, 35 of Toronto, already face terrorism-related charges in the train terror plot, which the RCMP believe was guided by Al Qaeda elements in Iran.

Read more: Two suspects, two paths in Canada, one alleged terror plot

The RCMP said Thursday that it had worked “very closely” with the FBI.

“The FBI’s parallel investigation has led ultimately to the laying of charges against the individual in the U.S.,” said Sgt. Greg Cox. “Through our efforts, we assured that at no time did this individual pose an imminent threat to public safety in Canada.”

Watch May 9 video of Conservative House Leader Peter Van Loan thanking the FBI for the arrest of Abassi:

Cox added that authorities wouldn’t be providing further details on any of the three men arrested in connection with the plot as their cases were before the courts.

Meanwhile, Via Rail said Thursday it’s contemplating whether to ask all of its travellers for identification as it considers ways to improve security.

Transport Canada said it expects railway organizations to make appropriate threat assessments and develop measures to prevent problems.

With a file from The Canadian Press