UK counter-terrorism officers investigating a spate of arson attacks on Jewish and other sites in London have made two further arrests, bringing the total number to 25, police say.
The capital’s Metropolitan Police announce two new arrests as part of “a proactive investigation” into an “alleged conspiracy to commit arson at a venue related to the Jewish community.”
Police say the latest arrests, of men aged 19 and 26 in Watford, north of London, were made on Tuesday. These suspects remain in custody.
The men were arrested on suspicion of planning an arson attack, but the Jewish community venue targeted was “unknown,” police say.
Six sites, all of them Jewish save a Persian media outlet that is critical of Iran, have been targeted by arson attacks in recent weeks.
While no injuries have been reported, Jewish leaders have denounced rising antisemitism.
Little-known group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), with links to Iran, has claimed responsibility for many of the attacks, according to SITE Intelligence Group.
The group previously claimed similar attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.
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