Five Men Arrested Near RAF Fairford Released on Bail Amid Anti-Terror Investigation
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Five men arrested near RAF Fairford during a terrorism-related investigation have been released on bail under strict anti-terrorism police conditions.
Early Sunday morning, after receiving reports of three “suspicious vehicles” near the Gloucestershire airbase, police declared a major incident, leading to the evacuation of dozens of homes in the vicinity.
Counter-terrorism officers are currently working on various aspects of the investigation, including whether any individuals involved were acting on behalf of a foreign state.
All five men arrested are residents of London.
Initially detained on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act, suspicions later evolved to the preparation for terrorist activities.
The counter-terrorism police have stated that although the men have been released on bail, strict conditions controlling their movements and contacts with others will remain in place as the investigation continues.
Among the group, three live in Westminster, one in Camden, and one in Willesden, with ages ranging between 23 and 25 years old.
A female farmer who alerted police after seeing three white vans in Welford village, located directly east of the main RAF Fairford airbase, described her sighting of the vehicles as “fortunate.”
Assistant Chief Constable Lawrence Taylor of the Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said on Monday afternoon that the suspicious vehicles had undergone detailed examinations with support from military resources and forensic experts.
He confirmed that officers are investigating the incident “from every possible angle.”
The investigation is also considering the possibility that the activity may have been conducted by representatives or operatives linked to a foreign state, whether or not those individuals were aware of it.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a COBRA meeting Monday afternoon and urged the public to avoid speculation until all facts are established by investigators.
The Iranian Embassy in London has strongly rejected and condemned “baseless and unfortunate speculation” linking Iran to the incident, describing such claims as propaganda aimed only at fostering fear and negative sentiment against Iran within the UK.
The embassy has reserved the right to take appropriate legal action to protect the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to misleading and damaging media reports.
RAF Fairford has been used by the United States Air Force (USAF) for decades.
In recent months, American bomber aircraft have been flying from this airbase on missions to the Middle East following UK approval for its use in defensive actions against Iran.
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