Man arrested at Montreal airport facing new explosives-related charge

MONTREAL – A Montreal man charged with trying to board an airplane with a suitcase containing explosives-related materials is facing a new charge.

Antony Piazza’s bail hearing, scheduled for today, has been postponed until December.

Lawyers have also agreed to go straight to a preliminary hearing in January.

The new charge alleges Piazza attempted to place an object on a plane that was likely to endanger the aircraft.

The Crown says the charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

Piazza was already facing three charges: possession of an explosive substance; attempting to transport an explosive substance on an airplane; and mischief by endangering the safety of an airport or aircraft and disrupting activity at the airport.

He was trying to board a flight for the United States at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport when the material was detected at a security checkpoint in the U.S. departures area.

Piazza’s arrest at the end of October caused lengthy flight delays.

Police also cordoned off a large part of his neighbourhood while sweeping his house.

Authorities have said the luggage contained everything needed to make a bomb, minus the actual explosives.