Terror attack suspect held in Cyprus

(Vatican Radio)  A court in Cyprus has ordered a Canadian man to remain in police custody for a week, after two tonnes of a dangerous chemical compound were found stored at his home.

Listen to the report by Nathan Morley:

According to police, the suspect had been staying in Larnaca on the southern coast, since his arrival on the island last week.

The 26-year old faces charges of conspiracy to commit a criminal offence and possession of ammonium nitrate.

The Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order, Ionas Nicolaou, said that “all possibilities are being examined” and added that no one can yet say whether the case is linked to any preparation of a terrorist action.

Local media in Nicosia reported the man maintained the ammonium nitrate was not his, but the reports were unconfirmed.

Police spokesman Andreas Aggelides described the case as “serious and said that the Police is handling the issue very carefully.”

Ammonium nitrate is a powerful fertilizer, which in large quantities can be used to produce explosives.