Police held a news conference in Newmarket on July 31, announcing the arrest of a father and son in connection with a planned terrorist attack in the Toronto area. CTV News
Last week, the RCMP arrested a father and son in Richmond Hill, Ontario, on charges of planning a serious violent attack in Toronto. The arrest was part of a broader investigation into potential terrorist activities.
On July 28, 2024, law enforcement officials from the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) apprehended Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and Mostafa Eldidi, 26, at a hotel in Richmond Hill. They were reportedly in the final stages of planning an attack. The police had been monitoring the situation since early July and decided to act when the threat appeared imminent.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs from the RCMP explained that the two men were found with an axe and a machete, leading to their arrest. The emergency response team executed the operation "in a textbook fashion," ensuring no unnecessary damage or injuries, according to RCMP Superintendent James Parr.
Video footage shows the police raiding the Eldidis' home in Scarborough on the same night as their arrest. Although both men are Canadian citizens and residents of Toronto, their presence in Richmond Hill remains unclear.
The RCMP is still investigating the specific targets of the planned attack but believes the scope of the threat was relatively small and contained. Superintendent Parr indicated that while the threat was real, there were no indications of a larger, more widespread plot.
The Eldidis now face six terrorism-related charges. Court documents reveal allegations that between July 1 and July 29, they facilitated terrorist activities linked to the Islamic State. The charges include conspiring to murder for the benefit of or in association with the Islamic State. Additionally, Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi was charged with aggravated assault outside of Canada for the Islamic State in 2015.
The RCMP noted that the investigation was expedited once the threat level became apparent. While specifics on any additional weapons or further details of their plans are still under investigation, authorities are confident the immediate threat has been neutralized.
The Eldidis’ arrest marks a significant moment in Canada's counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the ongoing vigilance of national security agencies. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover more details about the pair's intentions and connections.
