Global Courant
The RCMP has arrested two people and charged one of them with three terrorist offenses in a unique case.
The Mounties charged Patrick Gordon Macdonald, a 26-year-old man from Ottawa, with participating in activities of a terrorist group, facilitating terrorist activities, and committing crimes for a terrorist group (intentionally promoting hate). The RCMP said in a press release that the arrests followed information it had received about the activities of the far-right Atomwaffen Division, a group that has designated Canada as a terrorist entity.
“This case is the first in Canada in which an individual advocating a violent far-right ideology has been charged with both terrorism and hate speech,” the RCMP said in the press release.
Police said in their investigation they found evidence that Macdonald helped make and distribute three propaganda videos for the Atomwaffen division.
“This material was intended to promote the group and recruit members, and encourage the commission of terrorist activities,” the press release said.
Macdonald is due to appear in court in Ottawa on Wednesday. The second person, who according to the RCMP is from Kingsley Falls, Que., but whose name has not been released, could face charges at a later date.
Atomwaffen violent, running training camps: public safety
According to Public Safety Canada, the Atomwaffen Division was established in the United States in 2013 and is a neo-Nazi group. It is also referred to as the National Socialist Order (NSO). It was listed as a terrorist entity on February 2, 2021.
“The group calls for acts of violence against racial, religious and ethnic groups, and informers, police and bureaucrats, to cause the collapse of society,” the department said in its terrorism list.
“AWD has previously held training camps, known as hate camps, where its members receive weapons and hand-to-hand combat training.”
The listing says the group has been violent at public gatherings, including the 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and that the group’s co-leader, an American, has been banned from entering Canada.
The RCMP said in its press release that it is committed to countering ideologically motivated extremism.
“Various partners are working together to counter all forms of violent extremism and propaganda by groups identified as terrorist entities in Canada,” it said.
“The help of the public is essential to combat this major problem, which is a national priority.”
