British-Iranian man held over alleged RAF Fairford terror plot released on bail

The 25-year-old British-Iranian dual national arrested over the suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford has been released on bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, The Sun and The Times report.

The man, detained on Thursday in the borough of Westminster in central London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, is alleged to have recruited and promised to pay five proxies to carry out an attack at the base in Gloucestershire in the early hours of Sunday morning. Two addresses in Westminster were searched as part of what police described as a dynamic fast-time operation.

The five alleged proxies — all British nationals in their 20s, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas — were arrested by armed officers near the base outside the village of Whelford after being spotted by a farmer. Three vans found nearby contained large plastic barrels of fuel that were initially thought to hold chemical explosives, The Sun understands. The five were bailed after 26 hours in custody.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing, has said the plot “may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state”. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said maintained there was “strong indication” the plot was inspired by Iran, an accusation Tehran denies.

Sources: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40569748/brit-iranian-arrested-raf-fairford-bomb-plot-bailed/ | https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/british-iranian-suspect-raf-fairford-terror-bail-jtp8vpknz