Posted on 01/17/2002 6:30:03 AM PST by Arkle
Two men have been charged with involvement with the al-Qaeda terror group, as anti-terror police arrested 11 other men in Leicester.
The two Algerians were arrested in Leicestershire in an earlier phase of an operation which continued on Thursday with raids on a number of addresses in the city.
A 37-year-old man has been charged with directing al-Qaeda, inciting an act of terrorism overseas, membership of al-Qaeda, a proscribed organisation, and four charges relating to the financing of terrorism.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with membership of al-Qaeda, four charges relating to the financing of terrorism, possession of an article for the purposes of terrorism and possession of racially inflammatory material with a view to distribution. They are due to appear before magistrates in Leicester on Thursday.
Leicestershire police said eight men were arrested on Thursday morning under anti-terrorism legislation, along with three other men detained under the Immigration Act 1971.
The latest arrests were made in a joint operation between Leicestershire police and the Metropolitan police's anti-terrorist branch, supported by the immigration service. The 11 men were arrested at eight different addresses in Leicester, and police are searching the buildings for possible evidence. One other address is also being searched. The men, aged between 23 and 40, remain in custody in Leicestershire.
Police said a house in London was searched in connection with the terrorist operation in Leicester. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said residential premises in north west London were raided and searched at around 0710 GMT.
A Leicestershire police spokesperson said: "People in parts of Leicester may see additional police activity and experience some disruption to their normal lifestyle over the next couple of days. We hope they will bear with us and continue to show us the support that we have been receiving.
"We must stress that there is no evidence to suggest any terrorist threat against Leicestershire or that people in Leicestershire are at any greater risk, however we would remind people to remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the police."
Sounds like quite a big fish.
Yes, quite big. Good on the Leicestershire police and the Metropolitan police's anti-terrorist branch....
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