The arrests took place in the regions of London, Manchester (Center) and Swindon, west of the capital. (Illustration image)AFP
Eight men, including seven of Iranian nationality, were arrested in the United Kingdom in two distinct operations carried out by the anti-terrorist police, one concerning the “preparation of a terrorist act”, announced the London metropolitan police on Sunday (MET).
“These are two major operations, among the most important that we have known in recent years in the fight against state threats and terrorism,” said Interior Minister Yvette Cooper on Sunday.
Five suspects, including four Iranians, were arrested in a first file, suspected of the “preparation of a terrorist act”. All were placed in police custody.
Imminent attack project
“The investigation relates to an alleged conspiracy aimed at a specific site,” the police said in their statement without details on the targeted location. “Agents have contacted the site concerned to inform them and provide them with the necessary advice and support,” she added.
According to the “Daily Telegraph”, it was, in the eyes of the authorities, an imminent attack project. The arrests took place in the regions of London, Manchester (center) and Swindon, west of the capital, the police said.
According to the same source, the four Iranians are aged 29 to 46, while the age and nationality of the fifth man remain to be determined. The suspects were arrested on the basis of the “Terrorism Act”, British anti -terrorist legislation, under its section 5, which aims to “commit acts of terrorism” or their accomplices.
“Foreign power”
“This is an investigation that evolves quickly,” said the head of the MET anti -terrorist service, Commander Dominic Murphy, quoted in the press release. It “is only at its beginnings and we explore various avenues” in order to “determine whether this case can present an additional risk for the public,” he added.
At the same time, police announced on Sunday that they had arrested three men of 39, 44 and 55, all of Iranian nationality, in a separate case unrelated to the first.
These arrests are part of the law of 2023 national security this time, which allows the police to arrest people suspected of being “involved in a threat activity emanating from a foreign power,” London police said in his statement.
“Complexity of threats”
These two operations illustrate “the complexity of the threats to which our national security continues to be confronted,” said Yvette Cooper. “The protection of our national security (…) remains our top priority.”
London announced in early March in early March, its intelligence services and the revolution guards at the highest level of the Foreign Influence Influence Scheme (FIRS), which must be operational by summer. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the first country placed in this category.
This system is presented as a tool in the service of national security in the United Kingdom, which intends to combat “secret foreign influences”. Since the beginning of 2022, the United Kingdom has identified more than 20 plots supported by Iran, with potentially fatal threats to British citizens and residents of the United Kingdom, the government said.
