British-Iranian national arrested in connection to RAF Fairford terror plot
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of terrorism offence in an investigation into a suspected terror plot by RAF Fairford.
Counter-terrorism police arrested the 27-year-old British-Iranian duel national on 1 October on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
The most recent arrest of the 27-year-old was carried out in London.
In a statement after the most recent arrest senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism police Vicki Evans said in a statement: “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles - including possible foreign state involvement.”
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She added: Evans added: “The investigation into circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is hugely complex, and our specialist teams are interrogating multiple lines of inquiry.
"I'd like to thank the public for their continued support and patience whilst we work through this investigation."
Counter-terrorism police have also said that searches have been carried out at two properties in London.
Police have also questioned a 26-year-old UK national under caution.
It comes after police arrested five men in their 20s in the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire near to the RAF base in the early hours of Sunday morning, before being released on police bail.
Police were alerted and arrived at the scene after being made aware of suspicious vans which had been seen in the area.
The RAF base is used by the US Air Force, and has seen US strategic bombers taking off on missions for Iran after the UK approved a US request for the base to be used for the USAF to carry out strikes on Iran.
Per the BBC, Iran said in July that 'any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces'.
Iran's embassy in London has issued a statement saying that it 'categorically rejects and strongly condemns' allegations linking Iran to the incident at RAF Fairford, calling them 'unfounded and malicious speculations'.
Police arrived at the scene after being alerted to head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor described as 'a range of information.
Cordons were put in place, with the five men, who were aged between 23 and 25, being released on bail which Taylor described as 'subject to stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others'.
Four of the men live in Westminster, and one in Camden, with police subsequently carrying out searches of their homes.
Residents in 85 homes around the incident were also evacuated, and have now been allowed to return home.
"The safety of the public is at the forefront of our investigative decision-making, and this was certainly the case yesterday," Taylor said in a statement on Tuesday.
"I understand why this development was surprising to some, but I would like to reiterate that this is an investigative decision and one which is grounded in experience and strategy."
US President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the matter, saying that he was 'disappointed' when the five men were allowed to go on bail.
Kit Roberts