Five men arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism near RAF Fairford, the air base in England where American B-52 and B-1 bombers fly from, were released on bail on Monday, September 28. No charges have been filed, and counterterror police say the men remain under investigation.
Story Highlights
- Police arrested five British men early Sunday after reports of three suspicious vans near RAF Fairford.
- They were held on suspicion of explosives offenses and of preparing an act of terrorism.
- A day later they were out on bail with strict conditions, and no charges filed.
- President Trump had told reporters, “we got them.”
Three Vans Near The Bomber Base
The call came in at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday: three suspicious vehicles were heading toward Royal Air Force Fairford, about 100 miles west of London. Gloucestershire Police arrested five men, all British and in their 20s, from London. Officers first held them on suspected explosives offenses, then on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism.
About 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated. Army bomb disposal experts sent a robot to examine three white vans. Residents still had not been allowed back as of Monday morning. RAF Fairford hosts American B-52 and B-1 bombers, and the base has been used for operations in the conflict with Iran.
What Trump Said
On Sunday morning, before the men were released, President Trump spoke to reporters about the arrests. He said the men were “looking to do big damage,” and added that “working with the British worked out great and we got them.”
By Monday, all five were back out on bail. Police did not name them and did not release the bail terms beyond calling them strict.
Police Say The Case Is Not Over
Counter Terrorism Policing now leads the case. Laurence Taylor, the head of U.K. Counter Terrorism Policing, said the five men “absolutely remain under investigation as we explore multiple lines of inquiry.”
Investigators are looking at a possible link to Iran, along with Russia and groups not tied to any government. Iran’s embassy in London denied any role, saying it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations.”
Sources:
pbs.org, apnews.com, theukpulse.co.uk