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A youth in Saskatchewan has been placed on a rare terrorism peace bond after allegedly uttering threats and inciting hatred.
In a news release on June 28, Meadow Lake RCMP said it worked with RCMP’s federal National Security Enforcement Section (NSES) in March after arresting the youth.
Police said that due to an ongoing investigation and out of concern for public safety, the youth entered into a terrorism peace bond — a protection order made by a provincial court when it decides there are reasonable grounds someone may commit a terrorism offence, but it’s not believed they actually have committed one.
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The youth, who cannot be named, has been released from custody and is subject to strict release conditions, police said. A criminal investigation is ongoing and before the courts, RCMP said.
Possible conditions listed in the Criminal Code include participation in a treatment program, wearing an electronic monitoring device, and no drugs, alcohol or any intoxicating substance, with provision for testing for such substances.
Other conditions can include a ban of possessing any firearms, other weapons and ammunition and a judge can also order any of these items already in the possession of the person subject to the peace bond be surrendered. Passports and travel documents can also be held by RCMP.
Breaching any condition of a peace bond is a criminal offence, and carries a maximum sentence of up to four years imprisonment.
The release said that RCMP is “very concerned about youth involvement in online radicalization in the broader area of grievance-based violence”.
“Families, communities and law enforcement are all key stakeholders in the identification, prevention, and disengagement from violent extremism.
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“The partnership between our local detachment officers … and the officers in specialized units in federal policing is invaluable,” said Superintendent Andrew Farquhar, Deputy Criminal Operations Officer of Federal Policing Northwest Region in Saskatchewan in the release, adding that incidents like this are very complex and sensitive in nature.
People can report any information on terrorism or related suspicious activity to the National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805, online at www.rcmp.ca/report-it, to their local police or by calling 911 if there is an immediate threat.
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