A judge has denied bail for three men facing terrorism charges in an alleged plot to forcibly seize land in the Quebec City area.
Simon Angers-Audet, 24, Raphaël Lagacé, 25, and Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, face charges of facilitating a terrorist activity, and other charges related to the illegal storage of firearms and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.
There is a publication ban on details of the bail hearing as well as the judge’s reasons for ordering the men held pending trial.
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Quebec court Judge René de la Sablonnière heard evidence and arguments in July and delivered the hour-long ruling today in a Quebec City courtroom.
“The judge rendered his decision today and ordered the detention of the three accused on the grounds that, if they were released, it would undermine public confidence in the administration of justice,” explained the federal Crown prosecutor at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Gabriel Lapierre.
The judge heard testimony and arguments in July and was expected to issue his decision last week, but he informed the lawyers that he needed more time.
A fourth accused — Matthew Forbes, 33 — is facing weapons charges and was granted bail under a lengthy list of conditions that include wearing a GPS tracking bracelet.
The Canadian Armed Forces have said Forbes and Chabot were active members of the military at the time of their arrest on July 8.