Five British nationals arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terror offences have been released on bail as counter-terrorism police investigate a suspected bomb plot, with a possible Iranian link a key line of inquiry.
Key facts
- Five men arrested near RAF Fairford are all British nationals from London, in their 20s.
- They were arrested early on Sunday on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing an act of terrorism.
- Police say offences could have been committed 'knowingly or unknowingly' on behalf of a foreign state, with an Iranian link a key line of inquiry.
- The five have been released on bail; three vans with suspicious material were reportedly found.
- RAF Fairford is being used by the US air force in its operations against Iran.
Five men arrested on suspicion of terror offences at RAF Fairford are all British nationals from London and in their 20s, counter-terrorism police have said, according to the Guardian. The men were pictured on Sunday being apprehended, shirtless, near the base in Gloucestershire, which is being used by the US air force in its operations against Iran.
The five suspects were arrested in the Gloucestershire countryside early on Sunday morning on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing an act of terrorism, the Guardian reported. Police were investigating why the men were so close to the airbase in three vans with what were described as suspicious materials in the back.
Officers initially said they had secured an extension to continue holding the men, but the Guardian later reported that all five had been released on bail as the investigation continued. Police said the inquiry had led to multiple lines of new enquiry.
Counter-terrorism police said the alleged offences under investigation could have been “actively committed by proxies or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state.” A possible Iranian link is a key line of inquiry, according to the Guardian, which reported that police were examining whether Iran was behind the alleged offences.
Speaking at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, the defence secretary, Wes Streeting, said he could not give further details about the incident because there is a live police investigation. He used his speech to stress that the UK-US relationship is “the closest alliance” of any two countries in the world, adding that the two nations will always “stand together” against those who wish to cause harm.
Streeting’s remarks hinted that UK security forces were aware of the suspected bomb plot. The Guardian noted that the investigation remains ongoing while the five bailed suspects are subject to further inquiries.
Why it matters
The arrests near a base used by the US air force in operations against Iran raise questions about potential foreign-state involvement on UK soil. With a possible Iranian link under investigation, the case touches on national security and the close UK-US military alliance highlighted by the defence secretary.
Frequently asked questions
Who was arrested near RAF Fairford?
Five British nationals, all from London and in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing an act of terrorism, according to the Guardian.
Are the suspects still in custody?
No. The Guardian reported that all five men have been released on bail while the investigation continues.
Is there a foreign-state link being investigated?
Police said the alleged offences could have been committed knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of a foreign state, and the Guardian reported that a possible Iranian link is a key line of inquiry.