TORONTO — One of two men accused of plotting to derail a passenger train travelling between Canada and the U.S. told his co-accused Islam is a "powerful weapon" which, in the right hands, "can bulldoze the whole world."
Raed Jaser is heard making the comments to Chiheb Esseghaier in a secret audio recording of a conversation they were having with an undercover FBI officer who gained their trust and became involved in their alleged plot.
During the conversation — which is being played at their trial — Jaser talks of his desire to impose Sharia or Islamic law upon Canada to stop the "wickedness" that exists in Western society.
"Islam is a monster, is a beast," he is heard saying. "Islam is a very powerful weapon, OK, and if it's in the right hands...then you can bulldoze the whole world."
Jaser also tells Esseghaier to "stay invisible" in order to carry out their plans, because "war is deception."
Both Jaser and Esseghaier face multiple terror-related charges in an alleged plot to attack a Via Rail train travelling between New York and Toronto.
The trial has heard the alleged plot would see two men drill a hole in a railway bridge under cover of darkness to derail the train.
Court also heard Jaser revealed a long-term "sniper plot" to target leaders in Canadian society.
Not-guilty pleas have been entered for both men, who were arrested in April 2013.
