LONDON: British police charged an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman with terrorism offenses after an investigation into suspected extreme right-wing terrorism activity, they said in a statement on Friday.
The investigation was not a consequence of more than a week of riots and racist attacks which took place across the country after three young girls were killed in the northern English town of Southport on July 29, the police said.
Rex William Henry Clark of Ilford, east London, was charged with preparation of terrorist acts, while Sofija Vinogradova, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was charged with preparation of terrorist acts and two counts of collecting information likely to be useful to a person preparing such an act.
“I want to reassure the public that at this time we do not believe that there is any wider threat related to this investigation, although our investigation very much continues,” said Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met Police’s counter terrorism command.
Vinogradova had initially been arrested at the beginning of August on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm, the police said, before being released on bail. She was arrested again at the same location with the man on Aug. 10.
Police said they could not provide any further details on the investigation now that the charges had been brought.
The pair are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court later on Friday.
UK police charge two after investigation into right-wing terrorism
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UK police charge two after investigation into right-wing terrorism
- Police: Investigation was not a consequence of more than a week of riots and racist attacks
- The pair are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court later on Friday
UK secures migrant return deal with Angola, Namibia; DRC faces visa curbs
LONDON: Angola and Namibia have agreed to accept the return of illegal migrants and criminals after the British government threatened visa penalties for countries refusing to cooperate, the UK Home Office said late on Saturday.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been stripped of fast-track visa services and preferential treatment for VIPs and decision-makers after failing to meet Britain’s requirements to improve cooperation, the Home Office said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Britain could escalate measures to a complete halting of visas for the DRC unless “co-operation rapidly improves.”
“We expect countries to play by the rules. If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back,” the Home Secretary added.
The agreements mark the first major change under reforms announced last month to make refugee status temporary and speed up the deportation of those who arrive illegally in Britain.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK has “removed more than 50,000 people with no right to remain” since July last year, a 23 percent increase on the previous period, and instructed diplomats to make returns a top priority.
