The man accused of a shooting and firebombing at Edmonton city hall on January 23 is now facing terrorism charges.
In a media release, the RCMP says 28-year-old Bezhani Sarvar of Edmonton was arrested and charged with counselling commission of terrorism offence and possession of property for terrorist purposes.
The Mounties say the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, or INSET, a national security division formed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States of America, laid the charges against Sarvar on Saturday, March 2.
In total, Sarvar now faces 11 charges, including intentionally or recklessly cause damage by fire or explosion to property, knowing the property was inhabited, intentionally posess incendiary material while committing and indictable offence, use of a firearm while committing an indictable offence, untentional discharge of a firearm while being reckless as to the life and safety of another person, two counts of possession of a prohibited device, mischief, and possession of weapon for the purpose of committing an offence.
The RCMP says these other nine charges, “also constitute terrorism offences.”
“INSET would like to acknowledge the exceptional work done by the Edmonton Police Service and their assistance in the ongoing national security investigation,” a media release published Monday said.
The RCMP say Sarvar is in custody at the Calgary Remand Centre and is scheduled to appear on Tuesday March 5.
Sarvar released a sprawling, disjointed manifesto video that was briefly hosted on YouTube, before it was removed.
“The RCMP encourages citizens to remain vigilant and report any information on terrorism or related suspicious activity to the National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805 or by email at RCMP.NSIN-RISN.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or to their local police. If there is an immediate threat to your safety, please call 911,” the media release said.
