RCMP look into Calgary link with possible Islamic militants

RCMP investigators have travelled to Calgary to look into a possible link between two Ontario menone of whom has been fighting in Syria with Islamic militants.

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Abdullah Barahim of the Islamic Information Society of Calgary says he talked to investigators in May. The society operates near an apartment building in downtown Calgary that was the residence for five jihadis who eventually went to fight alongside extremist rebels in Syria.

Barahimsays he was shown photographs of two men, but hewas not able torecognizethem.

The RCMP has neither confirmed nor denied the investigation, but a spokesperson confirms Mohammed Monir El Shaer and Ahmad Waseem both fromWindsor, Ont. have each been charged with a passport-related offence.

Waseemflew twice to Syria allegedly to fight with Islamist extremists, but legal experts say he could evadeterrorism charges if his activities abroad can't be proven.

Waseems Facebook page suggests he spent time in Alberta in 2010 and 2011.

Activities abroad

CBC News has previously reported on connections between some young Calgary men and militant Islamic groups.

Salman Ashrafi,known as Abu Abdullah Al Khorasani, was killed in adouble suicide bombing in Iraq in November that killed 46 people.

Muslim convert Damian Clairmont, who later took the name Mustafa al-Gharib, was killed while fighting with Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda-affiliated rebel group in Syria whose membership is made up largely of European, Australian and North American extremists.

FarahMohamedShirdon, aCalgarianfighting overseas with the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), wasseen in avideoburning his Canadian passport and threatening to destroy Iraq's oppressors. He has reportedly been killed.

CBC News has learned that as many as two dozen other young menhave, according to sources,travelled to Syria to join rebel extremist groups to wage jihad in the last two years.

HasibullahYusufzai, aBritish Columbia man, has been the only person charged under a new anti-terrorism lawfor allegedly leaving Canada to join Islamist fighters in Syria. Hefaces up to 14 years if convicted.