It is alleged that the five men arrested in Manchester and London on the 16th November 2009 were recruiters of terrorists, signing people up to join terrorist training camps in Afghanistan.
A 62 year old Muslim preacher was arrested in his home in Bolton, a prominent preacher around the Manchester and Bolton area teaching the Koran at various different mosques. It is possible that a position teaching the Koran in mosques could serve as an ideal recruiting platform for future terrorists.
Police also conducted a raid on a hotel near Heathrow which resulted in the arrest of a 26 year old man. Police will not confirm if this man was preparing to fly from Heathrow to the terror training camp in Afghanistan.
The investigation was the culmination of a year long investigation into recruitment of terrorists from within the United Kingdom. Assistance Chief Constable Dave Thompson of Greater Manchester Police said “This is a complex and ongoing investigation, which has now reached the point where it was necessary to make arrests and speak to a number of people.”
It is unknown if this operation and convert investigation had been completed or if the police moved in early due to the possibility of one of the men leaving the country to receive his terrorist training.
For more details see;
Police Arrest 5 Men In Manchester Terror Raids
We will bring you more information as it is released.