Five men released on bail over RAF Fairford terror plot investigation
Five British men arrested near RAF Fairford over suspected terror plot have been released on bail as investigations continue.
Police released five men on bail after arresting them near RAF Fairford, a UK air base 140 kilometres west of London. The men are all British citizens aged 23 to 25 from London.
The men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives offences. Counter-terrorism police say they need time to investigate carefully.
They are looking into whether the men acted alone or on behalf of a foreign state. RAF Fairford hosts US military operations.
Authorities have been investigating possible Iranian involvement, though Iran's embassy has rejected the claims. A local farmer said she spotted eight to ten hooded figures near the base before 1am on Sunday.
She alerted police. The base was used to launch strikes on Iran earlier this year.
The men remain under strict bail conditions while police pursue multiple lines of inquiry.
- 140 kilometres west
- Distance from London
- Five British citizens from London
- Arrested men
- Eight to ten hooded individuals
- Suspicious figures reported
Why it mattersThe incident tests UK security around military infrastructure and raises questions about foreign state involvement in domestic terror plots.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though Australia has designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation and shares security concerns with UK allies.
Corroborated bytheguardian.com
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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