The RCMP appeared to be distancing itself from allegations that 19 terror suspects facing detentions reviews in Toronto are linked to Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network.
RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli told reporters in Halifax there is no security threat related to the case.
“I can assure you there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that there’s any terrorist threat anywhere in this country related to this investigation. It’s an ongoing investigation,” Zaccardelli said.
The case of the 19 men, detained on Aug. 18 after being deemed a potential threat to national security by Canadian immigration officials, has parallels with the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York City and Washington.
On the second day of detention review hearings Thursday, a lawyer for one of the men tried to dispel one of those alleged parallels dealing with the flight school attended by Anwar ur Rehman Mohammed.
Mohammed’s lawyer, David Orman, said officials at the Durham flight school where he took lessons say the flight path over Pickering nuclear generating station is a common one for students logging flying time.
“Flying near the plant appears to be a major issue in the minds of immigration officials, but it doesn’t appear to be suspicious to anyone else,” added Orman.
On another point, government lawyer Terry McKay argued that Mohammed – who came to Canada on a six-month student visa three years ago – has taken a long time to get a commercial pilot’s licence.
“During post-arrest interviews, Mr. Mohammed indicated he was in school full time at the Durham Flight Centre,” McKay said. “Investigators spoke with representatives of the school and they stated he’s been attending sporadically.”
Orman said it’s not unusual for students to take longer than six months to get a pilot’s licence.
Mohammed had his bail request denied.
Six of the other men have been ordered detained, one has been scheduled to be released on bail and the others are pending. All are being investigated by different adjudicators.
Also Thursday, Mohammad Akhtar was released from detention on a $10,000 bond after an immigration detention review Wednesday.
Adjudicator Aina Martens agreed with Akhtar’s lawyer that the evidence against the 30-year-old man is weak.
“If we were discussing a group of people and if there were any information to conclude there was reason for security concerns, I would conclude a reasonable suspicion of these persons also,” Martens said.
“At this point, nothing has ever been proven about anybody arrested.”
Several of the suspects appeared by video link from the Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, Ont., where they are being held. The reviews are expected to conclude Thursday.
The men, 18 from Punjab province in Pakistan and one from southern India, were detained as part of an operation called Project Thread.
So far, no criminal charges have been laid and federal officials said there’s no indication that any of those detained were about to commit a terrorist act when apprehended.
The detainments have outraged Canadian Muslims, who consider it racial profiling.
In a Thursday morning interview with CTV’s Canada AM, Arif Raza, a lawyer with the Muslim Canadian Congress, said much of the evidence against the men is based on negative innuendo.
“We believe that these allegations are based on very flimsy assumptions,” said Raza, “assumptions based on what we consider racially motivated intentions.”
Raza also said the case had “aggravated” tensions in a Muslim community that has been on edge ever since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
“What bothers me most is the reaction of the young people,” he said. “Constantly we have to explain to them that what is happening is only temporary.”
While the evidence against the men is largely circumstantial, federal law permits the government to keep the suspects in custody.
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the federal government can detain without charges any landed immigrant or foreign national who is considered to be a threat to national security.
Allah be with them 
