The “imminent” plans of a father and son to carry out a “serious violent attack in Toronto” were thwarted by law enforcement, Canadian police said Wednesday.
Ahmed Eldidi, 62, and Mostafa Eldidi, 26, were arrested Sunday at a hotel in Richmond Hill, roughly 24 miles north of Toronto, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The two — whether at the direction of or inspired by ISIS — are accused of being in the “advanced stages” of their plot before being taken into custody. Both men are Canadian citizens, but it’s unknown if they also have citizenship elsewhere.
Multiple police services assisted in the investigation, which began in early July. What prompted the start of the investigation was not disclosed, nor were the details of the exact target or how they planned to carry out the attack.
Police said they confiscated an ax and a machete from the hotel room, though it’s unclear if the suspects planned to acquire other weapons.
Both men appeared in court on Monday to face charges of terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder.
The elder Eldidi is also charged with a 2015 assault outside of Canada for the benefit of the Islamic State, though officials did not provide additional details.
The Canadian law enforcement agency said there was no further threat to the public.
“I am very proud of the impressive team effort that made these arrests possible,” Matt Peggs, assistant commissioner at the RCMP, said. “This was an imminent threat and we were able to prevent serious injuries or loss of life.”