A 26-year-old far-right activist from Ottawa suspected of supporting neo-Nazi ideologies has been arrested on terrorism charges, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Wednesday.
According to the authorities, this is the first case in Canada “in which a person representing a far-right ideology has been charged with both terrorism and hate propaganda”.
According to the findings of the investigation, Patrick Gordon Macdonald is said to have been involved in the production of propaganda material in favor of the terrorist group Nuclear Weapons Division.
“Specifically, he would have participated in and facilitated the creation, production and distribution of three terrorist propaganda videos. This material is used, among other things, to promote and recruit the group and encourage the commission of terrorist activities,” the RCMP said in a statement.
Patrick Macdonald was due to appear in Ottawa on Wednesday on three counts: involvement in terrorist group activity, aiding and abetting terrorist activity, and crime in favor of a terrorist group (intentional promotion of hatred).
The RCMP also said a second suspect was arrested in Kingsey Falls, not far from Victoriaville, as part of the same investigation.
However, no further information about him was disclosed. He could be charged at a later date, RCMP said.
According to Public Safety Canada’s website, the Nuclear Weapons Division is officially a recognized terrorist organization in the country.
Founded in the US in 2013, the Atomwaffe Division is an international neo-Nazi terrorist group that now has a presence in the UK, Canada, Germany and elsewhere.
According to government authorities, the group incites violence against racial, ethnic and religious groups, as well as whistleblowers, police officers and bureaucrats, in order to bring about the collapse of society.