Man who helped girls flee may have worked for CSIS
OTTAWA — Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney declined to comment Thursday on reports that a foreign spy arrested in Turkey for allegedly helping three young British girls join Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS, was working for a Canadian intelligence agency.
Turkish news agencies reported Thursday that a foreign intelligence agent detained in that country on suspicion of helping the three girls travel to neighbouring Syria to join Islamic State was working for the Canadian government.
In Ottawa, a government source said the individual arrested is not a Canadian citizen and “was not an employee of CSIS.” However, nobody in government would rule out the possibility the alleged spy was helping the Canadian government in any capacity.
The NDP led off question period Thursday by asking Blaney whether Canadian intelligence was involved. Blaney responded that he was aware of the reports but would not comment on “operational matters” of national security.
“We are fully aware that higher-risk travellers are travelling and willing to join terrorists,” he said.
Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday that his country arrested a foreign intelligence operative suspected of helping three British schoolgirls join the extremist group.
Cavusoglu said the suspect who helped the teens worked for the intelligence agency of a country that is part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State.
“WE ARE FULLY AWARE THAT HIGHER-RISK TRAVELLERS ARE TRAVELLING AND WILLING TO JOIN TERRORISTS.” STEVEN BLANEY
The minister didn’t identify the country, but said it wasn’t the U.S. or a European Union member.
Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, citing sources close to the government, said the individual was an agent working for the Canadian intelligence service.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service did not respond to a request for comment. The RCMP and the Prime Minister’s Office directed inquiries to Blaney’s office.
Members of Parliament are currently hearing from experts at committee on the Conservative government’s anti-terrorism bill, which would give sweeping powers to Canada’s spies, government and the RCMP.
Blaney said the bill would provide better tools to Canadian law enforcement and security agencies to combat terrorism and prevent terrorists from striking on home soil.