British counter-terrorism police said on Oct. 3 that they had released on bail a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national who had been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with an alleged plot involving RAF Fairford, a base in Gloucestershire, western England, used by the US military. Police said the man had been detained earlier in the week and that searches at two properties in London had concluded. The statement said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire was continuing.
British police release sixth suspect on bail in RAF Fairford investigation
British counter-terrorism police said on Oct. 3 that they had released on bail a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national who had been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with an alleged plot involving RAF Fairford, a base in Gloucestershire, western England, used by the US military. Police said the man had been detained earlier in the week and that searches at two properties in London had concluded. The statement said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire was continuing.
The case began when five British men in their 20s were arrested near three vans in the vicinity of RAF Fairford on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. The Straits Times and the Jerusalem Post place the arrests in the early hours of Sept. 27; the New York Post describes them as taking place on Sunday, Sept. 27. The Hill reports that a local farmer first alerted law enforcement, telling police there were three suspicious vehicles and a group of masked men near the base late at night on Sept. 26.
The five were later released without charge on police bail 'under stringent conditions', according to the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times. The New York Post reports they were released a day after their arrest. The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report that detectives said petrol was found in the vans and that no improvised explosive device was present. The New York Post reports police said the men were found with three vans containing explosives described as 'not viable', and that explosives and chemicals were found in a van.
The 25-year-old was detained in London — in the City of Westminster, according to The Hill — on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under the Terrorism Act, according to the New York Post. The Hill, the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report he was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 1, and released on the following Saturday. None of the men arrested has been named; The Hill reports that UK authorities have not released any of their names.
A police statement said: 'The investigation into the circumstances surrounding events in Gloucestershire is continuing.' Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said in a separate update cited by The Hill that the investigation is 'hugely complex' and that specialist teams are 'interrogating multiple lines of enquiry', adding that police are 'looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement'. The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times also report that counter-terrorism police, who described the investigation as complex, were considering whether a foreign state had been involved.
RAF Fairford is used by the US military, according to the New York Post, which reports it is home to US operations including B-1B Lancer bombers. The Hill describes the facility as a British-owned American air base used by the US Air Force to position B-52 and B-1 bombers as part of what it calls the Trump administration's war in Iran. The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report that US bombers have taken part in airstrikes or raids against targets in Iran from the base. The New York Post reports that Iran had previously threatened action against the base, which it says has served as a launch point for some US operations during the war.
President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday that he was 'surprised that they released them', adding, according to The Hill, 'I would've said don't let them have bail'. The New York Post quotes him saying: 'I wouldn't have done that... We would not have released them.' The Hill reports Trump also said he suspects Iran 'might be' involved. The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report Trump said there was a plan to cause 'big damage' at the air base. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the attempted plot as 'a very serious situation' that 'clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor', according to the New York Post, which cites a Fox News interview on Sept. 28; the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report Rubio pointed to the 'hands of a foreign actor'.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Wednesday, Sept. 30, that there were 'strong indications' of Iranian involvement, according to the New York Post, while The Hill reports his government believes Iran 'played a part' in the incident. The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report Burnham said it might have had an Iranian link. The New York Post separately cites sources telling The Telegraph that Iran is considered the most likely source of the plot.
The Iranian Embassy in London said in a Monday statement, reported by The Hill, that it 'categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base'. The New York Post reports Iran has denied involvement. The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report Iran called the accusations baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the issue on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Where sources differ
- Timing of the initial incident: The Hill reports a local farmer alerted police to three suspicious vehicles and masked men near the base late at night on Sept. 26, while the New York Post places the arrests on Sunday, Sept. 27, and the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times place them in the early hours of Sept. 27.
- What was found in the vans: the New York Post reports that police said the men were found with three vans of 'not viable' explosives and that explosives and chemicals were found in a van, whereas the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report that detectives said petrol was found in the vans and that no improvised explosive device was present.
- Characterisation of the five men's release: the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times say they were released without charge on police bail 'under stringent conditions'; the New York Post says they were released a day later despite having been arrested on explosive and terror charges.
- How Andy Burnham's remarks are described: the New York Post reports he cited 'strong indications' of Iranian involvement, The Hill reports he said Iran 'played a part', and the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times report he said the incident might have had an Iranian link.
- How Marco Rubio's remarks are quoted: the New York Post reports he said the plot 'clearly involves the hand of a foreign actor', while the Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times render the phrase as 'hands of a foreign actor'.
- Sourcing of the claim about Iranian responsibility: only the New York Post reports the Telegraph-sourced assessment that Iran is the most likely source; that claim is not present in the other three sources.
- No source identifies any of the six arrested men by name; The Hill reports UK authorities have not released their names.
- No source reports any comment, statement or legal representation from the six men who were arrested and released.
- No source establishes a specific alleged target, method or plan beyond what police said was found in the vans, or confirms that any plot was viable.
- No source reports that charges have been filed against any of the men.
- No source establishes the identity, role or affiliation of any alleged foreign actor; the suggestion of Iranian involvement rests on unnamed sourcing and on statements by US and UK officials that Iran denies.
- No source reports the outcome of Iran's summoning of the British ambassador in Tehran, or a UK government response to it.
- No source states the current status of the conflict in Iran, its start date, or how many operations have been launched from RAF Fairford.
- No source establishes why the five men were released on bail with the conditions described, beyond police saying the investigation continues.
- New York Post — original — by Shane Galvin
- The Hill — by Mira Bhakta
- The Jerusalem Post — by REUTERS
- The Straits Times — by The Straits Times
Read the original at New York Post