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(AFP): Prosecutors in Canada have laid terrorism charges against a man accused of mowing down a Muslim family with a pick-up truck in London, Ontario, killing four members from three generations.
Prosecutors revealed in a brief hearing that they were adding terrorism charges to the four counts of premeditated murder and one of attempted murder levelled last week against 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman.
“The federal and provincial attorneys general provided their consent to commence terrorism proceedings, alleging that the murders and the attempted murder also constitute terrorist activity,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement after the hearing.
Canada’s deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, reacted to the new charges afterward, saying, “It is really important for us to name it as an act of terror and it is important for us identify the terrible threat that white supremacism poses to Canada and to Canadians.”
Police allege the incident was a planned and premeditated attack targeting Muslims. Veltman also faces one count of attempted murder due to terrorism activity. He told the court via video link that he does not have a lawyer. He has yet to enter a plea.
Four members of the Pakistan-origin Afzaal family — a man and his wife, their teenage daughter and his mother — were out for a walk in London, Ontario on June 6 when a truck driver ploughed into them on purpose, according to authorities.
