Four men, including members of the Canadian military, have been charged with conspiring to forcibly seize land near Quebec City, linked to ideologically motivated violent extremism. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized a significant cache of weapons and explosives as part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Military Members Arrested in Quebec Land Seizure Conspiracy
Four Military Members Arrested in Quebec Land Seizure Conspiracy
Authorities investigate armed group's extremist motives in planned terrorist act
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported the arrest of four men, including individuals affiliated with the Canadian military, who are accused of plotting to forcibly seize land near Quebec City in an act characterized as “ideologically motivated violent extremism.”
On Tuesday, the RCMP announced that three of the individuals had "taken concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity" and are facing terrorism-related charges. A substantial stockpile of weapons, explosives, and ammunition was confiscated from the group during ongoing investigations.
The accused include Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, both from Québec City, and Simon Angers-Audet, 24, from Neuville, Quebec, who are charged with "facilitating a terrorist act." The fourth suspect, Matthew Forbes, aged 33 and hailing from Pont-Rouge, Quebec, faces various firearms and explosives-related charges.
Details regarding which of the suspects are serving military members remain unclear, and the police have not disclosed the specifics of the group's ideology or the motivation behind the planned land seizure.
Photographs released by the RCMP depict at least seven individuals in Canadian military fatigues engaged in military-style training exercises, which included shooting, ambush tactics, survival techniques, and navigation skills. They also reportedly conducted reconnaissance operations.
This investigation, carried out by a specialized national security team consisting of members from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, is believed to have been underway for over a year and a half.
In an earlier raid in January 2024 around Quebec City, authorities confiscated 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms, approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition, 130 magazines, night vision goggles, and additional military gear.
The Canadian Armed Forces have not yet commented on the matter, as the investigation continues to unfold.
On Tuesday, the RCMP announced that three of the individuals had "taken concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity" and are facing terrorism-related charges. A substantial stockpile of weapons, explosives, and ammunition was confiscated from the group during ongoing investigations.
The accused include Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, both from Québec City, and Simon Angers-Audet, 24, from Neuville, Quebec, who are charged with "facilitating a terrorist act." The fourth suspect, Matthew Forbes, aged 33 and hailing from Pont-Rouge, Quebec, faces various firearms and explosives-related charges.
Details regarding which of the suspects are serving military members remain unclear, and the police have not disclosed the specifics of the group's ideology or the motivation behind the planned land seizure.
Photographs released by the RCMP depict at least seven individuals in Canadian military fatigues engaged in military-style training exercises, which included shooting, ambush tactics, survival techniques, and navigation skills. They also reportedly conducted reconnaissance operations.
This investigation, carried out by a specialized national security team consisting of members from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, is believed to have been underway for over a year and a half.
In an earlier raid in January 2024 around Quebec City, authorities confiscated 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms, approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition, 130 magazines, night vision goggles, and additional military gear.
The Canadian Armed Forces have not yet commented on the matter, as the investigation continues to unfold.
