TORONTO (AP) — Canadian police arrested 10 youths at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport last weekend after suspecting them of wanting to go to Iraq and Syria to join the Islamic State group.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in statement late Tuesday night that no charges have brought at this time, but said the investigation is ongoing. All 10 young persons had their passports confiscated.
The RCMP said it was unable to disclose the identity of the persons arrested or any information about what led to their arrest because charges have not been brought.
“We can say, however, that the families and friends of the young persons have been met by investigators,” the RCMP statement said.
Police asked the media to respect the privacy of the family members.
“These are very difficult times for the relatives and loved ones of the persons arrested, as the decision to leave the country was not that of the family, but of a single family member. As a result, family members often find themselves at a complete loss and unable to understand the decision made by the youth,” police said.
Canada’s anti-terror unit within the RCMP, Quebec provincial police, and Montreal police took part in the operation.
Steven Blaney, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, declined to comment on operational matters in a statement, but commended police for their “continued vigilance in keeping our streets and communities safe from the ongoing global terror threat.”
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