Couple allegedly planned to blow up B.C. Legislature

VANCOUVER, B.C (FROM CTV NEWS) -- A man and woman from Surrey, B.C., who planned to place and detonate explosive devices at the B.C. Legislature on Canada Day with intent to kill and injure people were inspired by al-Qaeda ideology, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Tuesday.

Jon Nuttall and Amanda Korody were arrested Monday in Abbotsford and now face terrorism-related charges including conspiring to place an explosive in or against a place of public use, knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity and making or having in their possession an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious damage to property.

“This self-radicalized behavior was intended to create maximum impact and harm to Canadians,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Wayne Rideout said Tuesday. “They took steps to educate themselves and produce explosive devices designed to cause injury and death.”

Assistant Comissioner James Malizia said while an investigation revealed the two appeared to be inspired by Al-Qaeda, “there’s no evidence they had support or were acting in support of a terrorist group.”

He said Nuttall and Korody did not appear to be copying the Boston Marathon bombings that happened in April.

Rideout said the explosive devices were secured and seized on Canada Day on the outside property of the B.C. Legislature with no people nearby.

The RCMP said the charges are a result of a Mountie-led Integrated National Security Enforcement Team investigation dubbed Project Souvenir that included employees from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Canada Border Services Agency.

“At no time was the security of the public at risk,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner James Malizia. “We detected the threat early and disrupted it.”

He urged the public to be aware and always report any suspicious behavior to authorities.

“It is very important that Canadians remain vigilant,” Malizia said. “We urge the public to bring any suspicious activities to the RCMP’s attention through our national security information network.”

B.C. Premier Christy Clark was set to make an announcement regarding the charges at the Legislature later in the day.