Four held in terror raid » Central Government » 24dash.com

Four men have been arrested in connection with a major investigation into alleged international terrorism, police said today.

The four were held as part of an operation linked to the arrest of a man at Manchester airport on June 6. He was charged last week.

Three of the four men, one aged 29 and two aged 21, were arrested last night in Hackney, east London.

The fourth, aged 28, was arrested this afternoon in south east London.

All four men, British citizens, were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Officers from Scotland Yard's Anti-Terrorist Branch swooped at around 10pm last night. The fourth man was arrested at 3pm today.

It is thought the four men were all arrested in the street. The police operation did not involve firearms officers.

Scotland Yard is working with officers from West Yorkshire Police on the investigation, which is examining whether there is any alleged threat to the UK.

The four men are all being held at the high security Paddington Green police station in central London.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said the arrests were in relation to an "ongoing operation into alleged international terrorism being led by West Yorkshire Police, in which two people have been charged".

The force added that the arrests were not related to either the controversial Forest Gate anti-terror raid or to the July 7 London bombings.

:: Last week Aabid Hussain Khan appeared before Bow Street Magistrates charged under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act.

Both charges allege that on June 6 at Manchester Airport he possessed an article, namely a computer hard drive and contents, in circumstances which gave rise to the suspicion that his possession was for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Khan from West Yorkshire, is also charged with conspiracy to murder person or persons unknown and with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance by use of poisons and/or explosives to cause disruption, fear or injury.

He appeared alongside a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons who is charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance by use of poisons and/or explosives.

Khan had been arrested at Manchester Airport on June 6. He will appear at the Old Bailey on June 30.

Copyright - Press Association 2006