Two men re-arrested over suspected Iranian plot at RAF Fairford

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 18:28 · Archive

Two men have been re-arrested on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence service as part of an investigation into suspected terrorist activity near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on 27 September.

A 24-year-old UK national and a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, both from Westminster in London, were re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. The 24-year-old was initially arrested on 27 September near RAF Fairford, and the 25-year-old was initially arrested on 1 October in Westminster.

Counter Terrorism Policing announced the re-arrests on 20 October and said it was 'highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement' in the activity that took place near the airbase. In total, seven men have been arrested in connection with the investigation. Five others remain on police bail.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, said the investigation was 'very much a live investigation' with 'evidence gathering' continuing. He stated that the specialist teams had been 'working tirelessly' on the 'hugely complex investigation' since the events on 27 September.

The re-arrests represent a development in the case, with the men now facing charges related to assisting a foreign intelligence service rather than the original terrorism suspicions. Counter Terrorism Policing maintained that it considered Iranian state involvement 'highly likely' based on its investigation so far.

How it is being reported

• Men arrested over suspected terrorist plot re-arrestedTwo men have been re-arrested on suspicion of aiding Iran as part of a bomb plot investigation at a nearby airbase.Swindon Advertiser · 20 Oct, 18:11
• Men arrested over suspected terrorist plot re-arrestedTwo men have been re-arrested on suspicion of aiding Iran as part of a bomb plot investigation at a nearby airbase.Wiltshire Times · 20 Oct, 18:11
• Men arrested over suspected terrorist plot re-arrestedTwo men have been re-arrested on suspicion of aiding Iran as part of a bomb plot investigation at a nearby airbase.Gazette & Herald · 20 Oct, 18:11

In this story: RAF Fairford · Counter Terrorism Policing · Gloucestershire · Iran · Westminster · Laurence Taylor

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