VIA Rail terror suspects allegedly considered contaminating water supply

Two of three suspects charged in connection to a terror plot to derail a passenger train outside of Toronto had previously considered contaminating air or water supplies to kill "up to 100,000 people," according to allegations coming to light.

The allegation was made in court documents in the case of Ahmed Abassi, the third suspect tied to the VIA Rail terror plot, whose arrest in New York was confirmed on Thursday.

Abassi has previously lived in Canada, and is alleged to be responsible for radicalizing one of two suspects arrested in Canada. But he had more recently been turned away at the border, according to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

[ Related: 3rd VIA Rail terror suspect 'radicalized' Canadian suspect: FBI ]

The Globe and Mail reports that Abassi, a Tunisian national, was refused a visa to return to Canada from Tunisia shortly before he was arrested in the U.S. on April 22. He has been charged with fraudulently applying for a U.S. work visa in order to remain in the country to facilitate an act of terror.

Kenney told reporters that Abassi had been refused a Canadian visa, during an appearance in Mississauga on Friday.

The Globe reports that Abassi had once been a student at Laval University and was in the process of renewing his visa and returning to his studies. When his application for a Canadian visa was rejected, it appears he set his sights on the U.S.

The issue of border security is a sensitive one and there is an ongoing debate over whether the U.S. needs a tighter northern border.

Canada has been tipped as an entry point for terrorists on several occasions – including claims that those behind the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack entered the U.S. through Canada.

The Conservative government has been working to clear the country's reputation on that point. Which is likely why Kenney was so direct when discussing Ahmed Abassi. Until his comments, most public information about the case had come from U.S. authorities.

[ More Brew: Via Rail mulls ID checks in wake of abortive terror plot ]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Abassi was arrested on April 22 after telling an undercover investigator about recruiting others to participate in terrorist plots and planning on seeking a work visa so he could stay in the country.

One of those he allegedly spoke to was Chiheb Esseghaier. Esseghaier and Raed Jaser were arrested in Canada on April 22 and charged in the VIA Rail plot.

QMI Agency further reports that U.S. court documents allege the Abassi and Esseghaier had contemplated contaminating air and water, before settling on the plot to derail a train.

Documents obtained from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York claimed the two discussed the alternative plot that would "contaminating the air or water with bacteria in order to kill up to 100,000 people - but that Esseghaier was dismissive of that plan."