Canadian flag waving in front of Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, March 22, 2017. REUTERS / Chris Wattie / File Photo
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OTTAWA, June 12 (Reuters) – Canadian police are investigating a possible national security risk that forced parliament to close for several hours on Saturday after border officials warned of a bomb threat, a media outlet said on Sunday. government source.
The intelligence branch of the border agency warned on Saturday that vehicles close to parliament could be loaded with explosives, according to the source, who was not allowed to speak at the registry.
Ottawa police said Saturday they had located “two vehicles of interest and two people of interest,” without giving further details, and said there was no threat to public safety.
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No charges have yet been filed against the two individuals.
However, the Special Integrated National Security Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which is investigating threats to national security, has opened an investigation, the source said.
“The severity of the threat is still unclear,” said the source, who was informed of the investigation.
The RCMP declined to confirm or deny the news, first reported on Saturday afternoon by Global News TV, which said there was a “big” national security investigation underway.
“For reasons of privacy and operation, the RCMP does not confirm, deny or disclose information related to criminal investigations unless or until charges are brought,” an RCMP spokesman said in a statement.
Tensions at Ottawa Parliament have been high since hundreds of trucks and vehicles blocked the area for three weeks earlier this year. The protest was against what protesters saw as over-government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The road that passes in front of the parliament has never been completely reopened since the protest to prevent vehicles from parking there.
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Report by Steve Scherer; Edited by Daniel Wallis
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