BRAMPTON, Ont. - The case against 14 terror suspects accused of plotting to storm Parliament and behead Prime Minister Stephen Harper was sent directly to trial Monday following a move by Crown prosecutors.
The adult suspects were in the middle of a preliminary hearing, routinely held before a judge to determine if there's enough evidence to warrant a trial, when the Crown ended those proceedings by pursuing a direct indictment.
The 14 adult suspects saw their charges stayed and new proceedings started against them -- meaning they were rearrested, fingerprinted and ordered directly to trial.
The group, including two men already released on bail, must reapply for release pending trial.
Public Prosecution Service of Canada spokesman Dan Brien said the agency would not comment specifically on why the direct indictment route was taken.
Eighteen suspects were rounded up last summer in what was called Canada's largest anti-terrorism operation since 9-11, with charges stayed against three youths.
