Quebec man charged with terrorism, planning to overthrow Haitian government
The RCMP say a 51-year-old Quebec man has been charged with planning a terrorist act to overthrow the Haitian government of Jovenel Moise.
Gerald Nicolas will appear at the Quebec City courthouse on Dec. 1 to face three terrorism-related charges. He is not detained in the interim, police said Thursday.
Nicolas is charged with leaving Canada to facilitate a terrorist activity, facilitating a terrorist activity and providing property for terrorist purposes.
Police say their investigation of Nicolas is not related to the July 2021 assassination of Moise and that they are two separate events.
The Mounties allege that Nicolas, a resident of Levis, Que., planned to stage an armed revolution in Haiti and ultimately seize power.
Sgt. Charles Poirier, an RCMP spokesperson, said the charges against Nicolas are serious and that he is alleged to have travelled to Haiti to co-ordinate a group of individuals whose intention was to take part in a coup.
"What was found and what is alleged that occurred during this investigation is that Mr. Nicolas actually travelled to Haiti and to other Central and South American countries -- we're talking about multiple countries -- in order to recruit, finance and acquire some weapons for his armed revolution," Poirier said from Montreal.
"He not only wanted to overthrow the government in place, but also seize power."
Poirier said the investigation shows Nicolas was unsuccessful in acquiring weapons.
The RCMP's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team began its investigation in July 2021 after exchanging information with police in Levis, just south of Quebec City. Police say the alleged planning began in January 2020. Poirier said Nicolas does not appear to have had any alleged accomplices in Canada.
"For now, the RCMP is only laying charges against him," Poirier said. "He was the one who planned and designed this armed revolution, but it is possible that in the future other individuals might be charged."
Poirier said the case is unusual, but it sends an important message. "If you are a Canadian citizen, breaking the law in a foreign country is the same as breaking the law in Canada," Poirier said.
Poirier said Nicolas was not previously on the RCMP's radar.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
Some birds may use 'mental time travel,' study finds
Real quick — what did you have for lunch yesterday? Were you with anyone? Where were you? Can you picture the scene? The ability to remember things that happened to you in the past, especially to go back and recall little incidental details, is a hallmark of what psychologists call episodic memory — and new research indicates that it’s an ability humans may share with birds called Eurasian jays.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
Indianapolis 500 delayed as strong storm forces fans to evacuate Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm pushed through the area Sunday, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to evacuate about 125,000 fans who had already arrived for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Hamas rocket attack from Gaza sets off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv for the first time in months
Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months on Sunday in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel's massive air, sea and ground offensive.
At least 13 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least 13 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter in a restroom during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.