Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. terror suspects build bombs ahead of alleged Canada Day plot: trial

* The Canadian Press, 03 Mar, 2015 08:57 AM

    VANCOUVER — Just days ahead of an alleged bomb plot, a British Columbia man grew fearful that he and his wife would be forced to "take the fall" if they became a liability to an Arab businessman they believed was helping them carry out their planned Canada Day attack, their trial has heard.

    In a video played at the couple's terrorism trial Monday, John Nuttall confides in his wife, Amanda Korody, that he believe they could be killed by shadowy figures up the chain of command. By the time the video was recorded on June 28, 2013, Nuttall and Korody had spent months interacting with the businessman, who was actually an undercover RCMP officer.

    "His third contingency plan is ditch us, we're expendable, save himself," Nuttall tells his wife as they are holed up in a motel near Vancouver to build bombs out of pressure-cookers.

    "If we don't have these done, there's a good chance we will be killed or set up. Do you understand? ... Someone's gotta take the fall. It's not gonna be him, OK?"

    Nuttall and Korody, recent converts to radical Islam, had no idea they were being videotaped by police in the weeks leading up to their arrest in July 2013. They are each charged with four terrorism-related offences.

    The Crown's theory is that the pair planned to detonate bombs outside the legislature in Victoria as vengeance for what they perceived to be the mistreatment of Muslims overseas.

    Their defence lawyers have asked the jury to pay close attention to the role the RCMP played in the alleged plot.

    During the six-hour video recording, the couple is seen brainstorming about which targets to attack, praying on their knees for strength and assembling the bombs.

    They banter back and forth about their motivations — jihad or justice — provide each other encouragement and excitedly discuss painting their faces red and white to disguise themselves on Canada Day.

    But Nuttall grows agitated as he messes about with glue, an electric drill, scissors and various parts of three pressure-cookers over a large table. Hours earlier, the officer told Nuttall he needed the bombs finished by morning to be ready to meet another associate who would provide explosives.

    Nuttall suggests the undercover officers will simply point the finger at him if the plan falls apart.

    "They can say, 'Well, it was Yahya who did it, he did it on his own'" Nuttall says, referring to himself by his self-proclaimed Arabic name. "I just figured this out, OK? Just today."

    In conversation that is rambling and often confuses the meaning of words, Nuttall tells Korody he believes they are part of a wide network whose tentacles stretch to the terror group al-Qaida.

    He informs her that he believes they are only privy to the nearest contact in the chain. His theory is that if their plot is discovered and authorities move in to torture them, each of them can only give up one or two names.

    Nuttall asserts that for protection Korody must always keep two items on her at all times: $40 and a knife. There are audible sounds of retching from off-screen by Korody, who is believed to be vomiting. The trial has heard she suffered from severe stomach problems.

    "Soldier, on your feet," Nuttall calls to his wife. "I need you now. I hope you're not just sitting on the edge of the toilet or something."

    Later in the video, Nuttall paces the room while speaking into a cell phone and addressing his main undercover contact.

    The call goes dead and he tells his wife that the next day they will meet the businessman's associate, who is apparently coming from Alberta.

    The Crown has told the jury the man was actually another undercover officer and that the RCMP ensured the bombs were inert.

    Nuttall and Korody both pleaded not guilty.

    Follow @TamsynBurgmann on Twitter

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Jersey tossers face fines and one-year bans from all MLSE properties

    Jersey tossers face fines and one-year bans from all MLSE properties
    TORONTO — Three spectators are facing fines and one-year bans from Air Canada Centre after throwing Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys on the ice in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night.

    Jersey tossers face fines and one-year bans from all MLSE properties

    Oil-price collapse to cut $4.3 billion from federal revenues: report

    Oil-price collapse to cut $4.3 billion from federal revenues: report
    OTTAWA — A new report by the Conference Board of Canada is predicting the oil-price collapse to cut federal revenues by $4.3 billion this year.

    Oil-price collapse to cut $4.3 billion from federal revenues: report

    IMF drops forecast for Canadian economic growth amid weakened global outlook

    IMF drops forecast for Canadian economic growth amid weakened global outlook
    OTTAWA — The International Monetary Fund is downgrading its 2015 growth forecast for the Canadian economy as it lowers its overall outlook for global growth.

    IMF drops forecast for Canadian economic growth amid weakened global outlook

    Aboriginal Affairs bureaucrats offered to bake snacks to save dough: document

    Aboriginal Affairs bureaucrats offered to bake snacks to save dough: document
    OTTAWA — Aboriginal Affairs kiboshed a proposed meeting of all its Ontario staff, who offered to bake their own snacks, gather in a public library and cram onto buses to save a bit of money, a new document shows.

    Aboriginal Affairs bureaucrats offered to bake snacks to save dough: document

    Liberals blast Harper government confusion over balancing the budget

    Liberals blast Harper government confusion over balancing the budget
    LONDON, Ont. — A former Liberal finance minister says the Harper government is sending a message of utter confusion when it comes to its management of the economy.

    Liberals blast Harper government confusion over balancing the budget

    Langley Man Faces Nine Charges After Reports About Altercation, Home Invasion

    Langley Man Faces Nine Charges After Reports About Altercation, Home Invasion
    LANGLEY, B.C. — Police say a 43-year-old man in Langley, B.C., is facing nine firearms-related charges over a clash involving drugs and money.

    Langley Man Faces Nine Charges After Reports About Altercation, Home Invasion