UK police arrest two men over alleged ties to Hezbollah

British counter-terrorism police say they have arrested two men accused of being linked to the banned terror group Hezbollah, saying their investigation involved alleged activity both overseas and in Britain.

Detectives from London’s Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) arrested a 39-year-old man in north London on suspicion of being a member of a proscribed group, preparing acts of terrorism and being involved in funding for the purpose of terrorism.

A second man, 35, was arrested in west London on suspicion of being a member of a banned organisation.

“Our investigation remains ongoing, but I hope that these arrests show we will take robust action against anyone here whom we suspect as being involved in terrorist activity, regardless of whether their activity is focused here in the UK or elsewhere,” says commander Dominic Murphy, head of the CTC.

Police say the investigation relates to the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which Britain outlawed in 2019 when it classified it as a terrorist group. There is no immediate threat to the public, they say.

The two men have been released on police bail until mid-July.