An alleged terrorist cell recently busted by police in Ontario has a connection to Winnipeg.
One of three men arrested in Ontario on terror-related charges was previously an electrical engineering student at Red River College in Winnipeg.
Following raids in Ontario on Wednesday and Thursday, police said key evidence seized included electronic components and circuitry, which is often found in improvised explosive devices.
Police said at least one suspect was trained overseas to construct explosives.
RCMP said the men were arrested after a year-long investigation uncovered evidence that linked them to militant activity in Pakistan, Dubai, Iran and Afghanistan. Police said bombs were being built for use in Canada.
The first two men were arrested on Wednesday during raids at separate residences in Ottawa.
Hiva Alizadeh, 30, and Misbahuddin Ahmed, 26, appeared in an Ottawa courthouse on Thursday.
Officials with Red River College confirmed a student named Hiva Alizadeh attended the school. He was enrolled in the integrated electrical engineering program in 2008-2009.
A teacher said Hiva Alizadeh was respectful and hard-working during the first term in 2008. Alizadeh dropped out in the second term. He also previously attended Red River College to study English as an additional language in 2002-2003.
Alizadeh is the alleged ring leader of the three men arrested in Ontario.
The third suspect was arrested on Thursday.
Authorities confirmed the arrest of Khurram Syed Sher, 28, a McGill University medical school graduate who was arrested in London, Ontario. He also previously auditioned for Canadian Idol.
All three suspects arrested in Ontario are charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act. Alizadeh also faces additional charges of possessing explosives and financing terrorism.
- with a report from CTV's Laura Lowe
