An Algerian terrorist suspect has been quietly deported from Vancouver after being held in custody for more than four years.

Samir Ait Mohamed was accused of belonging to the same terrorist cell as Ahmed Ressam, an Algerian who lived in Montreal. Ressam was sentenced to 22 years in a U.S. prison for plotting to bomb the Los Angeles airport.

Mohamed was deported to Algeria on Wednesday, according to CBC News.

Canadian officials alleged Mohamed and Ressam planned to bomb the Montreal neighbourhood of Outremont because of its large Jewish population.

Samir Ait Mohamed appeared in court via a video link last August.

• Ahmed Ressam

Ressam told U.S. prosecutors that Mohamed was a friend who had given him a gun, as well as a fake credit card to purchase parts to make a bomb to use on the L.A. airport. Ressam also claimed Mohamed worked with him in planning to bomb Outremont.

The United States tried to extradite Mohamed, but their case fell apart when Ressam reneged on a promise to testify against his friend. Extradition proceedings were halted in August.

Mohamed tried to gain refugee status in Canada, saying he would be killed if he was sent home. But officials from the Canada Border Services Agency refused on the grounds that he was a danger to the public.

"He had an effective removal order against him, he had a legal deportation order against him, there was no legal prohibition to remove him, and we were of the opinion that he was a danger to the public," said Janis Fergusson, a spokesperson for the agency.

Ahmed Ressam (CP file Photo/Le Journal de Montreal)

Mohamed was held at a Vancouver remand centre for four-and-a-half years without charge and recently withdrew his bid to fight a longstanding deportation order. Amnesty International has expressed concern over the deportation because of Algeria's human rights record.