10 hrs ago
Five Men Held Near RAF Fairford Amid Suspected Terror Plot
Police arrested five men near a military air base in western England.
The arrests happened after three white vans were reported traveling toward the base.
Police worried that the vehicles could be connected to explosives or a planned attack.
Bomb-disposal experts examined the vans while a large area was closed off.
About 85 nearby households were moved to safer places.
The base is used by the United States for attacks on Iranian missile sites.
Investigators think an Iran-related motive is possible, but they are also considering other explanations.
Iran has denied involvement in attacks and plots in the United Kingdom.
The investigation is continuing, and the men have not been charged.
British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford after receiving a report about three suspicious vans traveling toward the base early Sunday.
The men were initially detained under the Explosives Act and later questioned on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
A 400-meter cordon was established, about 85 households were evacuated, and army bomb-disposal specialists examined the vehicles.
Investigators are considering an Iranian-linked motive, while Russian sabotage and Islamist involvement are also being examined.
RAF Fairford is used by the United States for strikes on Iranian missile sites, and Iran has previously called such bases legitimate targets.
- Who
- Five men were arrested by British police; their identities and nationalities have not been released.
- What
- They were detained on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act involving three vans.
- Where
- The arrests occurred in Whelford, Gloucestershire, about a mile from RAF Fairford.
- When
- Police received the report at 12:45 a.m. on Sunday; the men were being questioned on Monday.
- Why
- Police responded to a report of suspicious vehicles and are investigating whether the incident was connected to a possible attack on the base.
Iranian-Linked Threat
Alternative Explanations
Possible motive
Iranian-Linked Threat
A source familiar with the investigation said an Iranian-linked motive was considered the most likely, and the base had reportedly received a specific threat from Iran weeks earlier.
Alternative Explanations
Investigators were also examining possible Russian sabotage or an Islamist plot, while Iran has denied involvement in attacks and plots in the United Kingdom.
Extent of prior surveillance
Iranian-Linked Threat
Donald Trump said the suspects had been under investigation and surveillance for a long time before their arrest.
Alternative Explanations
Reports raised questions about whether the men were under the level of surveillance suggested by Trump; British officials have released few details.
Key facts
- Arrests
- Five men remain in custody while counter-terrorism police question them.
- Vehicles
- Three large white vans were reported near or traveling toward RAF Fairford.
- Police response
- Armed officers from Gloucestershire Police made the arrests.
- Security cordon
- A 400-meter cordon was placed around the vehicles.
- Evacuations
- Residents from about 85 households were evacuated as a precaution.
- Possible motives
- Investigators are considering Iranian links, Russian sabotage, and an Islamist plot.
- Legal detention
- Under the Terrorism Act 2000, suspects can be held for up to 14 days without charge.
Quotes
The local farmer
An unnamed local farmer who alerted police after seeing masked men near RAF Fairford
“We know that Iran and their proxies wish to do us harm. We know that they hate our democracy, and we know that we regularly have to thwart Iranian attempts to threaten either our interests or indeed our allies.”
theprint.in
“It was an amazing job. We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort. And working with the British worked out great. We had them under view for a long time and we got them.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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