Man charged in alleged plot to attack a Via Rail train to appear in court today

TORONTO – One of the men charged in connection with an alleged plot to bomb a Via Rail passenger train is expected to appear in a Toronto court via a video link today.

Chiheb Esseghaier (shuh-HEB’ EZ’-ah-GUY’-ur) has been trying to find a legal aid lawyer to defend him against several terrorism charges he faces.

Last month he told a judge he wants a lawyer who agrees that the Qu’ran can be used as a reference in deciding his case.

The Montreal man also told the court he doesn’t recognize the authority of the Criminal Code in judging him.

Esseghaier and another suspect, Raed Jaser (rah-EED’ JAH’-ser) of Toronto, were arrested in April.

Jaser’s lawyer has denied the allegations against him.

A third man, Ahmed Abassi, has been charged in the U.S.

Authorities allege there was a plan to bomb a Via train that runs between Toronto and New York City, but they stressed at the time of the arrests that there was no imminent threat to the public.