Canadian police issue arrest warrants for two men who planned to join Afghan insurgents

[News_Editor]

Canadian police issue arrest warrants for two men who planned to join Afghan insurgents

2011-03-16 16:23:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

WINNIPEG (BNO NEWS) -- Canadian police have issued arrests warrants for two former residents of Winnipeg who allegedly planned to join insurgents in Afghanistan, officials said on Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said the arrest warrants for Maiwand Yar and Ferid Ahmed Imam are the result of a four-year national security criminal investigation known as Project Darken. They allegedly conspired to travel to Pakistan for terrorist training with plans to eventually join the insurgency against NATO troops in Afghanistan.

"These warrants are the result of a lengthy and thorough national security criminal investigation involving key partners throughout Canada and the U.S.," said Assistant Commissioner Bill Robinson, Commanding Officer of the RCMP's 'D' Division. "We are deeply committed to our efforts aimed at countering terrorism. This investigation targets criminal activity and not specific communities or groups."

Ferid Ahmed Imam, age 30, is being sought on charges of instructing to carry out terrorist activity and conspiracy to participate in activity of a terrorist group. Maiwand Yar, age 27, is being sought on charges of conspiracy to participate in activity of a terrorist group and participation in activity of a terrorist group.

Both individuals are known to have traveled to Pakistan in March 2007 but the current whereabouts of Maiwand Yar and Ferid Imam are unknown. The charges are being laid in absentia and Canada-wide arrest warrants have been issued for both men.

Project Darken was conducted by the RCMP National Security Enforcement Section in Winnipeg with the cooperation of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and international law enforcement agencies.

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