Posted on 12/18/2002 2:02:41 AM PST by UKCajun
Seven people have been arrested in London and Scotland under the Terrorism Act. Three men of North African origin were arrested in Edinburgh in an operation by Lothian and Borders Police and the anti-terrorist branch of the Metropolitan Police.
A further four men were arrested in west London and are on their way to Scotland to be questioned. All those arrested are in their early 30s and have been detained under the Terrorism Act.
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said that they would be held at a secure location while inquiries continue.
It is understood that the operation was led by the Lothian and Borders force.
However, police are not believed to be aware of any threat to a specific location in Edinburgh or elsewhere else in Scotland.
It is understood that the operation had been several weeks in the planning.
The police presence, which included about 40 vehicles and dozens of officers, began gathering in a shopping centre car park in the east of Edinburgh at about 0130 GMT on Wednesday.
Terrorism Act
The operation is thought to have taken place at a different location, although a police spokesman refused to say where the men were arrested.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman was unable to say how many officers were involved in the London operation.
He said: "We can confirm that Lothian and Borders Police, assisted by the Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch, arrested four men in West London this morning at 6.10am under the Terrorism Act.
"They have been taken to Scotland to a secure location where they will be interviewed."
Things are heating up! Glad they got these guys!
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