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May 24, 2006
UK: Are The Eight Arrested In Terror Swoops Muslims?
Since 3 am local time this morning, more than 500 police officers have been involved in raids in Britain, connected with terrorism offences committed abroad. So far, news is sketchy, but 7 people have been apprehended in the Greater Manchester region, and one has been arrested in Merseyside. One raid was also made in Birmingham.
The Independent is one of the few news sources to cover this, along with the BBC. The operation is being led by Greater Manchester Police anti-terrorism unit, and raids are expected to continue through the day.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said one man had been arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. She said: "We have assisted the UK Immigration Service for the arrest of a UK man."
A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said the arrests were not made in connection with terrorism connected with Northern Ireland, but would not say if the operation was connected with Islamic terrorism.
She said: "An extensive operation targeting individuals suspected of facilitating terrorism abroad is under way. Greater Manchester Police anti-terrorism unit is leading the operation, which has involved addresses being searched with warrants under the Terrorism Act in five police areas."
At Moss Side, south of Manchester city centre, a car parked outside one property was towed away.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the arrests were connected with an ongoing operation by the Immigration Service and police. They too would not give further details.
If the operation did not concern Northern Ireland terrorism, then it does not require a great leap of imagination to assume that the operation is connected with Islam. A large Muslim community exists in the areas targetted.
The individuals were Muslims. Click for an UPDATE.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at May 24, 2006 4:20 AM
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