The RCMP on Thursday appealed to the public for help in the investigation of two Canadians believed to have been involved in a terrorist attack on a gas plant in Algeria earlier this year.
Ali Medlej, 24, and Xristos Katsiroubas, 22, both from London, Ont., were among those killed in the January attack that left at least 38 hostages and 29 militants dead.
The RCMP confirmed that their remains were found at the site.
“The RCMP is interested, as part of our investigation, in determining the circumstances that led to Ali Medlej and Xristos Katsiroubas departing Canada,” RCMP spokesman Marc Richer said at a news conference Thursday.
“Anyone with information, such as who may have assisted them in departing Canada or any other information that will assist with our investigation into this matter, are encouraged to call the National Security Information Network.”
The attack began on Jan. 16 when al Qaeda-linked militants ambushed the gas plant.
The bloody, four-day siege ended when Algerian forces stormed the compound later that month.
The two Canadians were reportedly high school friends.
Family members reportedly concerned about the two men contacted authorities in 2007, however, the pair wasn't prevented from leaving the country last year when they travelled to Algeria.
Authorities are investigating how the two were connected with the Algerian terror cell, as well as whether other young men from the region were involved.
Sources told CTV News that two of their friends -- also from London -- travelled to Morocco with them last year.
One of them is Aaron Yoon, who sources say is in custody in Mauritania but is not part of the Algeria attack.
The other unidentified suspect is either dead or missing.
Medlej is Muslim; the three others converted to Islam as teenagers.
Sources say Katsiroubas’ mother prompted police to begin investigating after her son went missing.
“This investigation has been going on for quite some time,” Richer said. “It is not something we started up last month.”
According to insiders, CSIS, which is also investigating, suspects someone close to Medlej's family radicalized the four young men.
Richer said the RCMP is also looking for information regarding any other people who might be considering leaving Canada to take part in terrorist plots.
Authorities are also looking at whether there's a wider al-Qaeda terror network operating in the London, Ont., area.
“The reality is we need the public’s help,” Richer said.
“People may be in possession of a piece of information that they might find benign…that might be annoying somebody and wondering what to do with it. Well, pick up the phone and call the number, and let us decide how it might fit into our investigation.”
The number to call is 1800 420 5805, he said.
Speaking on CTV News Channel on Thursday, security expert Martin Rudner said it is “very difficult to measure in quantitative indexes” how extensive the problem of homegrown terrorism is in Canada, but he indicated recruitment occurs in various parts of the country.
Richer said the RCMP is doing extensive work in communities to counter radicalisation to violence.
“Ultimately countering radicalisation to violence also depends on the public taking an active role in intervention, including assisting law enforcement by reporting suspicious and illegal activities,” he said.
With a report from CTV’s Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife
