RCMP conducted several raids in Montreal on Tuesday as part of an ongoing anti-radicalization operation.
The raids are believed to be connected with the arrests of 10 young people at Pierre Trudeau Airport earlier this month. Authorities said the teens were trying to leave Canada to eventually join jihadi forces in Syria. No charges were laid, but the passports of the 10 individuals were seized.
Officers were seen leaving the home of one of the suspects with a box on Tuesday. It’s not known what was inside the box, or what officers are looking for.
RCMP would only confirm that several raids were taking place in the Montreal area, and that they were in connection with an ongoing investigation.
They would not say whether it was tied to the recent arrests.
It’s not clear what or if any charges will be laid following the latest raids.
McGill professor Ratna Ghosh, who is studying radicalization, says there are a variety of reasons why some teens turn to terror groups such as the Islamic State.
“It could be alienation, marginalization, a loss of self,” Ghosh told CTV Montreal. “Some people are seeking something, a meaning in life.”
Ghosh adds once teens are radicalized, they can still be saved.
“Right around the world, these de-radicalization programs have been very successful in bringing them back to mainstream society, if they have been radicalized.”
With files from CTV Montreal
