UK police charge two after investigation into right-wing terrorism

British police charged the duo with preparation of terrorist acts and collecting information likely to be useful to a person preparing such an act. (AFP)
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Updated 16 August 2024
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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

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.


Canadian police investigate reports of gunfire at US consulate in Toronto

Updated 10 March 2026
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Canadian police investigate reports of gunfire at US consulate in Toronto

  • Police said they were at the scene near University Avenue and Queen Street West
  • “Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located,” police said in the post

TORONTO: Canadian police are investigating reports that the United States consulate in downtown Toronto was hit by gunfire early on Tuesday morning.
No injuries have been reported.
Toronto police said Tuesday they responded to reports at around 5:30 a.m. that someone shot a gun at the US consulate.
In a post on social media, police said they were at the scene near University Avenue and Queen Street West.
“Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located,” police said in the post.
No suspect information has been released.
“The shooting that took place at the US consulate early this morning is an absolutely unacceptable act of violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbors,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
“Everyone at all levels of government and across Canada needs to make clear that there is zero tolerance for this sort of intimidating and dangerous behavior.”
The reported shooting comes after two Toronto-area synagogues were struck by gunfire last weekend.
“The US consulate was shot at. This comes after shootings at synagogues,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said. “This cannot stand. Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith and culture and to live their day-to-day lives without fear, intimidation or violence. As we have seen too many times, antisemitic incidents spike when international incidents rise. It is never acceptable to target the Jewish community.”
Chow said there is heavy police presence on Tuesday at both the US and Israeli consulates in Toronto.
The war in Iran has prompted large demonstrations outside the US consulate, both in support and in protest.