MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Canadian federal police have arrested four people, including active military members, who were allegedly planning to form an anti-government militia and seize land in the province of Quebec.
Three of the accused, all in their 20s, have been charged with taking action “to facilitate terrorist activity,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement.
The group allegedly “took part in military-style training,” which involved shooting, scouting and other exercises, the RCMP said.
The fourth suspect, aged 33, has been charged with weapons-related offenses.
The group was “allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area,” police said.
They said group included active members of the military, but did not specify how many.
The investigation into the alleged plot included a January 2024 sweep in the Quebec City area that led to the seizure of explosives, dozens of weapons and 11,000 rounds of ammunition.
The RCMP did not list the group’s alleged motivation for its planned land seizure, but said it was “committed to fighting ideologically motivated violent extremism.”