British counter-terrorism police have released five men on strict bail conditions while continuing a major investigation into a suspected plot against a military air base that may involve foreign state actors.
The suspects, all British nationals in their twenties residing in London, were detained early Sunday near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after police received reports of three suspicious vehicles traveling toward the facility. The Gloucestershire base is routinely utilized by United States military forces for overseas air operations. Armed officers initially apprehended the group on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act before further arresting them for the preparation of an act of terrorism.
Following the arrests, army bomb-disposal teams were dispatched to inspect the vehicles, prompting the precautionary evacuation of approximately 85 households in the neighboring village of Whelford. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, announced on Monday afternoon that the men were granted conditional police bail following extensive interviews. Taylor emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, noting that the individuals face stringent restrictions on their movement and contact with others.
Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including the possibility that the operation was carried out by proxies acting knowingly or unknowingly on behalf of an overseas government. While counter-terrorism officials stressed that they are keeping an open mind regarding motives, investigators are scrutinizing potential connections to foreign states, including Iran, which has issued statements denying any role in the matter. Meanwhile, heightened security measures and forensic examinations near the site have continued as authorities assess all recovered materials.