More Arrests Possible In Canadian Terrorist Probe
By Jim Lynch on Jun 5, 2006 in Radical Islam, War on Terrorism
The seventeen arrests made in Canada last week may not be the extent of the operation. The investigation is continuing.
Canadian authorities investigating an alleged homegrown plot to blow up buildings in Ontario said Monday more arrests were possible as part of a wider probe into terrorist cells in at least seven countries, including the United States.
The Toronto Star, citing a U.S. counterterrorism official it did not name, said investigators were combing through evidence seized during Saturday’s raids looking for connections between the 17 arrested suspects and at least 18 other Islamic militants detained in the United States, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Britain, Denmark and Sweden.
It appears likely that we haven’t heard the last of this case. How far does the reach of this group extend? Chad Evans at In The Bullpen offers some insight.
What’s quite interesting is that a group arrested in London this past Fall is believed to be connected to the Toronto cell and the Georgia two. Among those arrested in London was a man that goes by the Internet handle of Irhabi007. Irhabi007, or Younis Tsouli, was a hacker who claimed to have in-depth knowledge of Internet security. He posted several jihadi files that explained how to make certain types of bombs among other files and a friend to this site has sent numerous files that Irhabi007 spread. The Washington Post called Irhabi007 a “key conduit for Al Qaida.” Tsouli was arrested in a suspected bomb plot but his Internet identity was later revealed.
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Thus far there have been at least 20 people detained (17 in Canada, 2 in the U.S. and 1 in England) in this multi-national investigation. The RCMP claims it’s “fair to say” others will be detained in Canada as the investigation unfolds. This appears to have been a breakthrough due in no small part to monitoring jihadi Internet sites and communication.
Good. In fact, very good. But, as Confederate Yankee pointed out yesterday, you wouldn’t know it by reading the left side of the blogosphere.
Sphere: Related ContentIf you visit the always useful memeorandum.com to see how the blogosphere is responding to the arrests of 17 terrorists in Canada, you’ll notice something: not a single left-of-center blog of note will discuss it.
Not yesterday afternoon.
Not last night.
Not this morning.
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[...] UPDATE: Jim Lynch notes a counter-terrorism analyst in the United States concludes “more arrests were possible as part of a wider probe into terrorist cells in at least seven countries, including the United States.” It’s unclear if this analyst is Steve Emerson or not. [...]
I am ecstatic that the Toronto cell is linked to Irhabi007 because it gives much more credibility to the arrests and it tells us that there are intelligence agencies actually looking at the treasure trove of jihadi material on the Internet.
I would still like to know how the information on how this Toronto cell was found will influence the debate here in the States with regard to the NSA monitor stories, but sadly there’s a strange hush within the U.S. media and half the blogs about this huge story. How can a debate happen if half those debating ignore relevant facts?
[...] bRight & Early has More Here Hat Tip to Gateway Pundit [...]