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Five Held Near RAF Fairford Freed on Bail, Still Under Probe
(MENAFN) Five men arrested near RAF Fairford have been freed on police bail while a security investigation at the Gloucestershire military base continues, counter-terrorism officials confirmed.
Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the men were released following “extensive interviews and inquiries.” He warned that the suspects “absolutely remain under investigation” and face “stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others.”
The men were first detained on suspicion of explosives offenses, then re-arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, Taylor said. Police are still examining the circumstances behind the arrests.
Investigators have put the three vehicles the men were traveling in through “extensive examination,” with help from military and forensic experts, according to Taylor.
A 400-meter (about 1,312-foot) cordon remains in place outside Whelford, the village adjoining the base, and a heavy police presence continues at the airbase's main entrance. Taylor said counter-terrorism officers hope to scale back their footprint later Monday so residents can return home.
Foreign-state links under review
The developments come as security tightens around RAF Fairford. In July, Britain said its armed forces were ready to defend the country against any attack after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned against letting US bombers operate from the base. RAF Fairford has supported operations against Iran since February, amid the wider Middle East conflict.
Taylor said police are keeping an “open mind” on whether the broader geopolitical backdrop is relevant. “We are considering this from every angle,” he said, including whether the incident was “committed by proxies or individuals… working on behalf of a foreign state.”
Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said earlier that British military bases at home and abroad are potential targets for state-backed actors and terrorists. He declined to give further details of the operation, arguing that doing so could hand Britain's enemies and opponents “valuable insight.” He also said it would be “unwise” to comment on the motivations or backgrounds of those arrested.
Iran has denied any connection to the arrests, according to a statement from the Iranian Embassy in London.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to the arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base,” it said.
Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the men were released following “extensive interviews and inquiries.” He warned that the suspects “absolutely remain under investigation” and face “stringent conditions on their movement and contact with others.”
The men were first detained on suspicion of explosives offenses, then re-arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, Taylor said. Police are still examining the circumstances behind the arrests.
Investigators have put the three vehicles the men were traveling in through “extensive examination,” with help from military and forensic experts, according to Taylor.
A 400-meter (about 1,312-foot) cordon remains in place outside Whelford, the village adjoining the base, and a heavy police presence continues at the airbase's main entrance. Taylor said counter-terrorism officers hope to scale back their footprint later Monday so residents can return home.
Foreign-state links under review
The developments come as security tightens around RAF Fairford. In July, Britain said its armed forces were ready to defend the country against any attack after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned against letting US bombers operate from the base. RAF Fairford has supported operations against Iran since February, amid the wider Middle East conflict.
Taylor said police are keeping an “open mind” on whether the broader geopolitical backdrop is relevant. “We are considering this from every angle,” he said, including whether the incident was “committed by proxies or individuals… working on behalf of a foreign state.”
Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said earlier that British military bases at home and abroad are potential targets for state-backed actors and terrorists. He declined to give further details of the operation, arguing that doing so could hand Britain's enemies and opponents “valuable insight.” He also said it would be “unwise” to comment on the motivations or backgrounds of those arrested.
Iran has denied any connection to the arrests, according to a statement from the Iranian Embassy in London.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran to the arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base,” it said.
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