Montreal police probe whether incendiary materials tied to Middle East conflict

Montreal police say they are investigating whether five people arrested Wednesday in possession of incendiary materials could have been planning something in connection to the war in the Middle East.

Police spokesperson Manuel Couture says investigators are trying to determine whether nearby synagogues were intended targets.

Police intercepted a vehicle containing unspecified incendiary materials shortly before 2 a.m. in the borough of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and arrested three minors — one aged 16 and the others 17.

Fifteen minutes later police arrested a 20-year-old and a 22-year-old in Côte-Saint-Luc, who also had incendiary materials in their vehicle.

Couture says the suspects were released under conditions with a promise to appear in court at a later date.

In a news release, Montreal police attribute the arrests to an increased presence and surveillance ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.