Fairfield: Who sent the masked men to the US base?

Several theories

Who sent the masked men to the US base?

British authorities are investigating the arrests of five men near a military base. The police provide further details.

After the arrest of five masked men on Sunday night near the von den USA The military base used in Fairford, UK, many questions are still unanswered. The men are suspected of preparing a terrorist act and are also being investigated for suspected violations of the Explosives Act.

The authorities did not comment on the background on Monday. Above all, the investigation focuses on the men’s motive and possible clients. But also how a possible attack on the military base in the county of Gloucestershire should have happened. It is also questionable who actually warned the British authorities about the group of masked people – was it the secret services or a local farmer? The military base RAF Fairford had already been cordoned off over a large area on Saturday and security forces had closed the access roads.

It is now known that the five people arrested all have British citizenship and are in their early to mid-20s. As the anti-terror police also announced, “several new investigative approaches” have emerged. The police are apparently pursuing several leads, including that the men could have acted on behalf of another state. British media had previously reported on the involvement of the Iran speculated. Russian sabotage or an Islamist motive do not currently appear to be ruled out.

The Iranian embassy in London According to a statement, firmly rejected the speculation and condemned it in the strongest possible terms. The speculation served “no other purpose than to further fuel anti-Iranian propaganda in the United Kingdom,” it said.

Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator at Counter-Terrorism Policing, said: “I am very aware of the extent to which there is speculation about the motives behind this incident and the geopolitical issues it raises.” However, the investigations should be given the necessary space at this point in time so that they can work carefully and purposefully.

According to the statement, the five men arrested are between 23 and 25 years old and live in the capital London. In the afternoon, a representative of the anti-terrorism police announced that the men had been released from custody under conditions. That doesn’t mean the investigation is over, he said.

What is striking is that the arrest only took place after a resident called the emergency number. At least that’s what a farmer from Whelford claims, who made suspicious observations on Sunday night and then called the authorities. Ten minutes later everything was full of police, the woman told the BBC.