Counter-terrorism police have said the five men arrested on suspicion of terror offences at RAF Fairford are all British nationals in their 20s from London. The men were photographed on Sunday being detained, shirtless, near the RAF base in Gloucestershire, which the US air force is using for operations against Iran. Police said three of the men are 24, one is 25, and one is 23. Three live in Westminster, one in Camden, and one in Willesden. Officers said the men are being held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and a custody extension has been secured until later on Monday. The suspects were arrested in Whelford on Sunday morning after reports of three vehicles travelling towards the airbase at 12.45am. They were detained on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act under section 5 of the Terrorism Act. Counter-terrorism policing said investigators examined the scene overnight and carried out a range of activity that led to multiple new lines of inquiry. View image in fullscreenArmoured vehicle on patrol at RAF Fairford on Monday. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty ImagesEighty-five households were evacuated from the village on Sunday, and a large police and emergency services presence has been there since. Police said they are using “significant numbers of resources, including military assets,” at the location. “We are working hard to minimise disruption to local communities, but ask for their patience, as our work continues at the scene,” they said. A cordon is still in place at the location, and police said they would review it later on Monday. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Counter Terrorism Policing’s senior national coordinator, said: “This is a hugely complex and large-scale operation, involving local and national policing, the MoD [Ministry of Defence] and local agencies, who are working together to progress the investigation and support for the community. “I know this has been incredibly disruptive for local people, but I’d like to reassure them that our activity is in the interest of national security, but most importantly in the interest of their own safety. “I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident and the geopolitical questions that are being raised. However, I ask that at this time Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly.” Officers have been investigating whether Iran may be behind the suspected bomb plot. In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps publicly noted RAF Fairford’s use by US bombers, warning the UK that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces.” In a statement on social media on Monday, the Iranian embassy in the UK said: “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 arrest of five suspects in the vicinity of RAF Fairford base. “The circulation of such fabricated speculations, particularly in the aftermath of the criminal acts of aggression committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Iranian people, will serve no purpose other than to fuel Iranophobia propaganda in the UK. “The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to take appropriate legal measures, as necessary, to safeguard the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to misleading and damaging media narratives.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions based on the news that five men arrested at RAF Fairford are UK nationals from London
What happened at RAF Fairford
Police arrested five men at the RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire
When did this happen
The arrests took place on Thursday 20 June 2024
Who are the men who were arrested
They are five men who are all UK nationals
Where are the men from
All five men are from London
Why were they arrested
They were arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site and criminal damage
What is RAF Fairford
It is a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire England used by the US Air Force
Why is RAF Fairford important
It is a key base for US Air Force operations including bomber aircraft
What is a protected site
It is a place like a military base where entering without permission is a serious offence under the law
What does criminal damage mean
It means intentionally damaging or destroying someone elses property without a good reason
Were the men charged
Initially they were arrested and questioned Police later charged them
What were they charged with
They were charged with criminal damage and trespassing on a protected site
Did they go to court
Yes they appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court
What happened at court
The case was sent to Crown Court for a future hearing
Are the men still in custody
They were released on bail before their next court appearance
What is bail
Bail means they can leave custody but must follow certain rules and return to court later
Who arrested them
They were arrested by Gloucestershire Police with help from the Ministry of Defence Police
Why was the Ministry of Defence Police involved
Because the arrest happened on Ministry of Defence land which is a military base
Were the men protesting
It is reported that the arrests may be linked to a protest by a group called Palestine Action
What is Palestine Action
It is a protest group that campaigns against companies and sites it says are linked to Israel
What is the connection to Israel
RAF Fairford is used by the US Air Force and the group may be protesting US support for Israel
