Canadian authorities are struggling to determine the motivation behind this week’s deadly attack on a series of Toronto restaurants, with investigators confirming the gunman showed “support” for a host of ISIS-inspired websites.
According to the Toronto Sun, 29-year old Faisal Hussain visited terror-supporting websites ahead of the assault that left two people dead and a dozen injured Sunday evening. The man reportedly lived in Afghanistan and Pakistan on multiple occasions.
“Files being reviewed by police include concern Hussain expressed ‘support’ for a website that was seen as ‘pro-ISIL,’ says a law enforcement source,” writes the Sun. “Sources say police in Toronto and CSIS officials in Ottawa, as well as the RCMP, are looking into his past, which sources say include his residence in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Hussain’s family released a statement Tuesday, saying they were “utterly devastated” by the attack.
“We are utterly devastated by the incomprehensible news that our son was responsible for the senseless violence and loss of life that took place on the Danforth,” the statement said.
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BIO-ATTACK AVERTED: Authorities Foil POISON TERROR Plot in Germany
Authorities and police averted a potentially devastating biological terror attack in Germany Thursday, foiling an “Islamic extremist” plot to unleash a deadly agent somewhere in the country.
According to the Associated Press, German authorities confirmed the arrest of Sief Allah H., whose surname couldn’t be revealed due to the country’s harsh privacy laws; adding the man was actively working on a “biological weapon.”
Investigators recovered the deadly biological agent ricin -created from the seeds of castor beans- at the scene.
“The suspect is believed to have begun procuring material online in mid-May, prosecutors said. He succeeded in creating the toxin this month and investigators found it in the apartment search,” writes the AP. “Prosecutors wouldn’t say how much ricin the suspect had produced.”
“He had contacts with people in the jihadist spectrum,” said a spokesperson with the prosecution.
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BRITAIN ON EDGE: UK Warns of 'SEVERE' RISK of Potential Terror Attack
Authorities in the United Kingdom warned residents Monday of an “increased” risk of terror attacks launched by Islamic militants against the UK within the next two years, saying the threat remains at a “heightened level.”
A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry issued the stark assessment on the first anniversary of a brutal attack in London that left eight people dead; saying the current threat level of “severe” will remain for the next two years and could possibly escalate to “critical” in the coming months.
“In summary we expect the threat from Islamist terrorism to remain at its current, heightened level for at least the next two years, and that it may increase further,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The threat from terrorism is constantly evolving. Globally, terrorist groups and networks of all ideologies continue to develop organically, exploiting social media, technology and science to further their aims and ambitions,” the ministry added.
“The government is absolutely committed to doing everything possible to tackle the terrorist threat. It is my first priority every day in this job,” said Interior Minister Sajid Javid.
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