Canada is denying a Tunisian man who was arrested in New York for trying to build a terrorism network entered the United States from its territory, Canadian media reported.
Ahmed Abassi, who was in New York City when he was arrested on April 22, has been charged with fraudulently seeking a work visa in order to remain on US soil and “facilitate international terrorism.”
Abassi is accused of entering the US across its border with Canada, where he had previously lived.
But Canada’s Immigration Minister on Friday said Abassi, once a student in Canada, had left for Tunisia and was denied a visa to return.
“When we became aware of security concerns, he was back in Tunisia and his visa, I think, his study permit, was not renewed,” Jason Kenney told reporters according to Canadian media.
Abassi came to the United States in March and met with Chiheb Esseghaier, who was arrested in Canada on terrorism charges the same day as Abassi was arrested in New York, the federal prosecutor’s office for Manhattan said.
According to media reports, Esseghaier, a Tunisian, and another foreign national, Raed Jaser, arrested in Canada last month were planning to blow up a passenger train as it crossed a bridge near Niagara Falls on the Canada-US border.
Tunisian terror suspect did not enter US from Canada
