Thursday July 4, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 54)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
New ‘experience’: Leon Hendrix, brother of Jimi, will play in tribute to the iconic star this weekend with Johnny Hendrix, known to many as artist/musician John Andrade. › see page 23
Birthday bash Fireworks light up the waters of Semiahmoo Bay Monday night, wrapping up a day of festivities along the waterfront held to mark Canada’s 146th birthday. Police estimate 10,000 people gathered at the White Rock pier to take in the colourful display. Gord Goble photo
Pressure-cooker bombs discovered at B.C. legislature on Canada Day
Surrey couple arrested in terrorist plot Jeff Nagel & Tom Fletcher Black Press
Two Surrey residents accused of planting pressure-cooker bombs outside the B.C. legislature on Canada Day are described by police as “al-Qaida-inspired” but “self-radicalized.” B.C. RCMP arrested John Stewart Nuttall and Amanda Marie Korody in Abbotsford at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon after a five-month investigation that began in February. The alleged homegrown terror plot is similar to that of the Boston Marathon bombers, who used pressure-cooker bombs to send shrapnel through the crowd near the race’s finish line on April 15. RCMP seized three explosive devices made from pressure cookers – containing nails, bolts, nuts and washers – that were placed on the legislative assembly grounds. Nuttall, 38, and Korody, 29, are charged with making or possessing an explosive device, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and knowingly facilitating terrorist activity. “These individuals were inspired by al-Qaida ideology,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner James Malizia said. “Our investigation has determined this was a domestic threat without international linkages.” The alleged motive of the two accused is unclear.
Police wouldn’t discuss any connection to they were being closely monitored and police Islamic beliefs or religion, but landlords in ensured the bombs were inert and could not North Surrey described the couple as devout detonate. Muslim converts whose unstable behaviour was “While the RCMP believed this threat was alarming enough to prompt calls to police. real, at no time was the security of the public at The RCMP says the pair “took steps to build risk,” Malizia said. “We detected the threat early explosive devices and place and disrupted it.” them at the B.C. legislature in Muslims search for answers, page 3 The arrests were made Victoria where crowds were expected to gather after a joint investigation by the RCMP E Divion Canada Day.” sion, the Canadian Border Services Agency The legislative lawn and inner harbour were and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, crowded with an estimated 40,000 revellers for dubbed Project Souvenir. Monday’s Canada Day concert and fireworks. “I want to reassure our citizens that at all Police aren’t saying if undercover officers times during the investigation, our primary were working with the duo but Malizia said focus was the safety and protection of the public,” Malizia said. Nor was the Canada Day crowd in Victoria the only potential target considered, police say. “The suspects were committed to acts of violence and discussed a wide variety of targets and techniques,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Wayne Rideout, adding they were “self-radicalized” and aimed to cause “maximum impact to Canadian citizens at the B.C. legislature on a national holiday.” A variety of covert investigation methods were used to control any method the suspects RCMP photo had to commit harm, he added. Three pressure cookers rigged as bombs. › see page 4
JULY 12,13,14 2013
reverbnation.com photo
Accused Surrey man John Nuttall.
Who are they? Kevin Diakiw Black Press
A neighbour of a Surrey man and woman charged this week with terrorism-related offences called the police some time ago after hearing the man threatening to blow things up. On Monday, at about 2 p.m., B.C. RCMP arrested John Stewart Nuttall and Amanda Marie Korody in Abbotsford after a fivemonth investigation that began in February. › see page 5
Proudly presented by the City of White Rock & Semiahmoo First Nation
RCMP Musical Ride
fRiday, july 26 • Semiahmoo Park behind Washington avenue Grill on Marine dr. in White Rock
For complete details:
www.TourdeWhiteRock.ca
Tickets are available online at https://tickets.surrey.ca Or in persOn aT: • Kent street activity Centre • Centennial arena • White rock Community Centre $12.00 Bleacher seating • $8.00 standing room Only For updated event info visit www.whiterockcity.ca
Wheelchair Accessible Venue
gate opens at 5:30 pm