Eight men have been released from custody as terror police continue to investigate an alleged extreme right-wing threat to an Islamic event held at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk. The UK Ijtima, which had at least 15,000 people attending last weekend, was forced to close early after a warning from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Policing Unit.
Three men were initially arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Subsequently, eight men were detained under the Terrorism Act 2000, and a woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. A thirteenth man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of an offense under section 5 of the Terrorism Act, 2006.
Under the Terrorism Act, individuals can be detained for up to seven days from their arrest. On Saturday night, police released eight more people from custody. Four individuals had been released on bail on Tuesday, and by Saturday, seven men were confirmed to have been released without charge. Another man was freed on bail with strict conditions pending further inquiries.
The investigation has involved searches of homes and vehicles, with over 35 digital devices seized. Separately, a 42-year-old man has been charged with two counts of possession of offensive weapons and possession of a stun gun, offenses not believed to be connected to the alleged threat to the UK Ijtima. He has been remanded in custody.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing London, stated that officers acted quickly after becoming aware of information indicating a potential threat to the Islamic event. "At this time we have found no evidence to support anyone being charged with any offenses linked to the alleged threat," Flanagan said. "While I know this may still be very concerning to the public and particularly to those in the Muslim community, I want to reassure them that our inquiries are ongoing."
Ruman Muhith, a Labour councillor on Ipswich Borough Council who was present at the event, said organizers accepted the police advice to end the event early "without hesitation" after being told there was a credible threat. Attendees were informed the event was concluding early after the morning prayer, without specific details of the threat being revealed to avoid panic.
The UK Ijtima is a religious gathering organized by the Tablighi Jamaat, a Sunni Islamic missionary movement founded in India in 1926. The event is described as a time for reflection and spiritual renewal. Shrubland Hall, a Grade II-listed building dating back to the 1770s, was chosen for the gathering due to its capacity for a large number of attendees and ample parking.