Terror suspect accused of ISIS chemical attack plot was in Canada illegally: RCMP
Louay Angoud “has no legal status in Canada,” according to a statement from the RCMP provided to the Montreal Gazette.
A 24-year-old man accused of planning an Islamic State terrorist attack using a chemical weapon to poison Canadians was living in the country illegally, the RCMP has confirmed.
Louay Angoud “has no legal status in Canada,” the RCMP told the Montreal Gazette following his arrest Wednesday at Place Ville Marie in downtown Montreal.
Angoud, identified by police as a Quebec City resident, faces three terrorism charges over allegations he intended to carry out at least one attack in Canada on behalf of ISIS.
The investigation reportedly began after the FBI flagged Angoud to the RCMP, bringing the alleged threat to the attention of Canadian authorities.
Police and prosecutors allege Angoud communicated online with members of a terrorist organization and collected information about how to construct a chemical weapon capable of poisoning Canadian citizens.
Despite his lack of legal immigration status, Angoud had been living in Quebec City. Court documents list a residence there, while police say he had no previous criminal record.
The RCMP has not publicly explained how long Angoud had been in Canada without legal status, how he originally entered the country, when his status lapsed or whether immigration authorities had previously taken steps to remove him.
Those unanswered questions come as the federal government faces a substantial immigration enforcement backlog. A recent parliamentary response revealed that hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals are subject to removal orders, although many are not currently considered actionable for removal.
Angoud was arrested at Place Ville Marie, a major downtown Montreal office, retail and restaurant complex. Police have not said why he was there at the time.
The RCMP said Angoud did not possess the substances necessary for the alleged chemical attack when officers arrested him and that there was no imminent threat to the public.
He remains detained and is scheduled to return to court Monday.
The allegations against Angoud have not been proven in court.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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