Yasin Ali charged with carrying concealed weapon on Parliament Hill

YasinMohamedAli, 56, of Toronto appeared by video in an Ottawa court Wednesdayto face a chargeof carrying a concealed weapon.

Ali did not resist when he was arrestedoutside Parliament Hill's Centre Block in Ottawa on Tuesday by the Parliamentary Protective Service.

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Ali, a permanent resident of Canada, will be held in custody until his next court appearance on Friday, when he will be assisted by a Somali interpreter.His defence attorney also asked that Alibe assessed by a doctor.

The RCMP said Wednesday that the investigation is continuing,but added that there is no reason to believethe incident was politically motivated, or an attempted terrorist attack.

"Iunderstand it is less a concern around so-called national security considerations than it is a mental health issue,"RCMPCommissioner Bob Paulson told reporters Wednesday."There's a history of behaviours that are odd.

"We'll see more details as we go along but the best information that we have right now is that it's mental health, bad judgment, acrazy behaviour issue,"Paulson said.

Meat cleaver tucked in pants

Sources have told CBC News that on Tuesday, Ali obtained atour ticket from the parliamentary visitor centre on Wellington Street, and thenentered Centre Block through the public entrance at the base of the building.

Security guards asked a manto remove his overcoat ashe was about to pass through the metal detector.

The man reluctantly opened his coat, at which timethe guards spotteda large meat cleaver tucked into the waist of his pants.

Ali has no known connection to the Ottawa area. He was staying at the Ottawa Mission homeless shelter, according toRiad Tallim, the Crown prosecutorassigned to this case.

According to court documents, Ali was convicted of assaulting apolice officer and resisting arrest in Toronto in 2000. At a later date, he was convicted of breach of probation.

1st public scare for new Hill police service

The Parliamentary Protective Service was created in the wake of the Oct. 22, 2014, shooting on Parliament Hill.

Opposition Leader and Commons speaker react to arrest of man carrying a knife on Parliament Hill

9 years ago

Duration 1:09

Rona Ambrose and Andrew Scheer talk about changes in Hill security

That day,gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeauranon to the grounds,hijacked a ministerial car andstormed Centre Block with a hunting rifle and knife, after having shot deadCanadian Forces Cpl. Nathan Cirilloat the National War Memorial across the street.

Following the attack, there was criticism about confusion and lack ofsecurityco-ordination during the incident.

The RCMP had been responsible for security on the grounds of Parliament Hill, while the House of Commons and Senate had separate protective services inside the building.

The Parliamentary Protective Service, which assumed control of Hill security inJune,reports to the RCMPNational Division,"with accountability to the Speakers of the House of Commons and the Senate."

The April federal budget committed $36 million over two yearsto improve security on Parliament Hill.