UK counter-terrorism agents granted more time to question men suspected of spying for Iran | England
Counter-terrorism detectives have been given more time to question four men arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran on places and people linked to the Jewish community.
The suspects, one Iranian and three British-Iranian nationals, can now be detained until March 13, the Metropolitan Police said on Saturday.
The men, aged 22, 40, 52 and 55, were arrested under the National Security Act at addresses in Harrow, Watford and Barnet shortly after 1am on Friday.
The Met said six men, aged between 20 and 49, who were arrested at the same location in Harrow, were released on bail pending further investigation.
Police added that one of the men was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
Detectives are understood to be investigating why the alleged surveillance of Jewish places and people was carried out and whether this was linked to the desire to launch attacks on British territory.
Part of the investigation is examining allegations of in-person surveillance in London and whether this was directed from abroad. The operation by counter-terrorism police and MI5 had been ongoing for months.
Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood said on Friday the arrests meant police were “protecting the UK from a potential threat”.
Mahmood said: “I would like to thank the police and our security services for their action today to protect the UK from a potential threat.
“The Jewish community and the wider public will understandably be concerned about today’s arrests. We continue to monitor the situation closely and communicate with those affected.”
He added: “I can assure you that our police and security services are world-leading and will not hesitate to act against any threat to the UK. They will continue to use all the tools and powers at their disposal to keep this country safe. They have the full support of the government as they carry out their vital work.”
“We must now give them the time and space to continue their research.”
In October last year, MI5’s director general, Ken McCallum, said 20 Iran-linked plots had been foiled on British soil in the past 12 months. Most of these were against Iranian opposition targets, and at least one was linked to an Israeli target in Britain.
