The RCMP’s Federal Policing Northwest’s Region’s National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in Alberta has arrested a 15-year-old from the Edmonton Area on terrorism-related offences.
According to police, the youth was taken into custody and the RCMP has begun proceedings against the youth through a terrorism peace bond as INSET investigators have reason to believe the youth will commit terrorism offences on behalf of the COM/764 online network.
Law enforcement says the 764 network is a “transnational online ecosystem” of what the RCMP describes as violent online predators, routinely luring youth, with an emphasis on those in the vulnerable sectors, encouraging them to commit sex acts, self-harm, and animal torture. Police say members of the network are known to have extreme ideological views and victimize children through desensitizing and radicalizing them to violence.
“In the face of networks like 764 – which includes youth perpetrators targeting other vulnerable young people online – education is our first line of defense, empowering young people to recognize manipulation, resist extremism, and reclaim the internet as a space for growth, not grooming,” the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region says.
The youth is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on June 3rd. Additionally, the Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits any further information regarding the 15-year-old from being released, and as the investigation is still underway, the RCMP will not make any comments at this time.
More information on violent online groups and the tactics they use is available on the RCMP’s website.
