Police in the United Kingdom have secured additional time to question eight men arrested in connection with an alleged right-wing terror threat targeting an Islamic festival in Suffolk. The UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall, in Barham, near Ipswich, was abruptly concluded on Sunday after Suffolk Police were alerted to a potential threat.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) confirmed Monday that the eight individuals were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences, conspiracy to murder, or assisting an offender. CTP London Commander Helen Flanagan stated that officers now have up to seven days to question these eight suspects under the Terrorism Act.
The eight men being held on suspicion of terror offenses were arrested in various locations across the country. These include two men, aged 27 and 29, arrested in Surrey; two 42-year-old men held in Essex; two men, aged 31 and 33, detained in London; a 27-year-old man arrested in Ipswich; and a 35-year-old man apprehended in Greater Manchester.
In addition to the eight in extended detention, three other men, aged 55, 60, and 82, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, have been released on bail. A 48-year-old woman detained on suspicion of assisting an offender has also been released on bail.
The event, held at the historic Shrubland Hall, was shut down as a precautionary measure.
