A 25-year-old UK-Iranian dual national arrested in connection with a major security alert at RAF Fairford has been released on police bail, authorities confirmed today. The man, who was taken into custody in the London borough of Westminster on Thursday, is being investigated on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts.
The arrest follows a high-profile security incident last weekend at the Gloucestershire airbase, which is operated by the United States Air Force. Police were alerted to three “suspicious vehicles” near the site, leading to the declaration of a major incident and the emergency evacuation of dozens of nearby homes.
Following the man’s arrest on Thursday, counter-terrorism officers concluded searches of two properties in the Westminster area. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
The suspect is the sixth individual to be arrested in connection with the events at the airbase. Five other men, all UK nationals in their twenties, were detained in the early hours of last weekend after being spotted traveling towards the base. According to reports, a local farmer alerted police to a “large group” of masked men operating near the suspicious vehicles.
In a curious development, the BBC understands that one of the men involved had called 999 himself roughly an hour before the farmer raised the alarm with authorities. All five men, aged between 23 and 25, were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. They were released on police bail earlier this week.
At the time of their release, police officials described the decision as an “investigative decision” that was “grounded in experience and strategy.” The release of the sixth suspect—the UK-Iranian dual national—marks the latest step in what has become a complex and sensitive inquiry.
RAF Fairford is a significant facility often used by the USAF for long-range bomber deployments and strategic training missions. The security scare sparked immediate concern across the region, leading to significant disruption for local residents who were forced from their homes while bomb disposal experts and police secured the perimeter.
While the investigation continues, officials have remained tight-lipped regarding the specific nature of the threat or whether any explosive materials were recovered during the property searches. The scale of the response, involving the evacuation of civilians and the involvement of counter-terrorism teams, underscores the seriousness with which authorities treated the initial reports.
Police have stated that they are continuing to analyze evidence gathered from both the vehicles and the properties raided in London. As the investigation progresses, authorities have not ruled out further action, and the public is urged to remain vigilant.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are confirmed by law enforcement.
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