UK police say they've arrested some key players behind Manchester bombing

[rooster59]

UK police say they've arrested some key players behind Manchester bombing

By Michael Holden and Costas Pitas

 

An armed police officer stands behind tributes to the victims of the attack on the Manchester Arena, in central Manchester, Britain May 26, 2017. REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British police have arrested a "large part of the network" behind this week's Manchester suicide bombing but more arrests are likely, the country's top counter-terrorism officer said on Friday.

 

Mark Rowley said "immense" progress had been made in the investigation into Salman Abedi, who killed 22 people, seven of them children, at a pop concert in Manchester on Monday.

 

"They're very significant, these arrests. We're very happy we've got our hands around some of the key players that we are concerned about. But as I say, there is still a little bit more to do," Rowley told broadcasters.

 

Since the attack, armed police backed up by the army have been patrolling cities and trains. Interior minister Amber Rudd said the official threat risk remained at its highest level, "critical", meaning another attack is expected imminently.

 

Hospitals have been warned to be ready. However, Security Minister Ben Wallace said there was no evidence of a specific threat over Britain's holiday weekend, when major events will take place including Saturday's soccer FA Cup final in London, where extra armed officers will be on duty.

 

As campaigning for a national election on June 8 resumed after it was suspended following the attack, the opposition Labour Party, emboldened by its rise in opinion polls, charged that Britain's foreign policy had increased the risk of attacks.

 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also chided Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May for cutting spending on policing. "We must be brave enough to admit the 'war on terror' is not working," he said.

 

May hit back. "Jeremy Corbyn has said that terror attacks are our own fault," she said. "I want to make one thing very clear to Jeremy Corbyn and to you, and it is that there can never, ever be an excuse for terrorism."

 

May was speaking to reporters at a summit of Group of Seven leaders in Sicily where she won support for action to prevent militants from using the internet to spread propaganda.

 

A new poll showed Labour had closed the gap with May's Conservatives to 5 points, suggesting a far tighter race than previously anticipated.

 

Nine people are being held by police following the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert, including a man arrested on Friday evening. A further two people who were arrested earlier in the week have been released.

 

The Guardian newspaper, without citing sources, said three of the 10 people arrested so far were brothers who were believed to be cousins of the bomber. Abedi's father and two brothers have also been arrested in Britain and in Libya.

 

Grande, who returned to the United States shortly after Monday's attack, said on Friday she would hold a benefit concert in Manchester for the victims of the bombing. [nL1N1IS148]

 

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

 

Police hunting for the suspected Islamist network behind Abedi, the 22-year-old British-born man with Libyan parents who blew himself up as crowds left Monday's concert, were questioning the eight arrested men, aged between 18 and 38. Buildings across Manchester and northwest England were raided.

 

On his first official trip to Britain as U.S. secretary of state, Rex Tillerson said "all across America, hearts are broken" by the attack.

 

British police briefly suspended intelligence sharing with the United States on Thursday after confidential details of their investigation repeatedly appeared in U.S. media. Tillerson said the allies' close security relationship would survive.

 

"We take full responsibility for that and we obviously regret that that happened," Tillerson said.

 

Corbyn, a veteran anti-war campaigner, said foreign policy was not solely to blame for terrorism but he would deploy troops abroad only "when there is a clear need", distancing himself from the interventionist approach that has seen Britain join the United States and other allies in military action in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan in recent years.

 

"Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, pointed out the connections between wars that we've been involved in or supported ... in other countries, such as Libya, and terrorism here at home," he said.

 

Opponents accused Corbyn of politicising the Manchester attack. "To suggest that there is any link, that there is any justification, for the events that took place on Monday night in Manchester with UK foreign policy is outrageous," Rudd said.

 

She said the security services had foiled 18 plots since 2013. However, with almost 20,000 fewer police than when the Conservatives came to power in 2010, concern about police cuts is now likely to become a major issue in the election campaign.

 

"We're now 20,000 police officers down, and we get atrocities like this. Does the government not expect this?" one voter, who was not named, asked Rudd on the BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday night.

 

Corbyn promised to reverse the police cuts, many of them implemented by May in her previous role as interior minister, and said Britain could not be "protected on the cheap".

 

Rudd said counter-terrorism was adequately resourced, and denied the cuts had made it harder to prevent Monday's attack.

 

May called the snap election to strengthen her hand in negotiations on Britain's exit from the European Union. But her campaign hit trouble last week when she pledged to make elderly people pay more for their social care. She was forced on Monday to backtrack on a policy dubbed the "dementia tax" by opponents.

 

Support for May's Conservatives fell to 43 percent while backing for Labour rose to 38 percent in the latest YouGov poll, helping to send sterling to a one-month low against the U.S. dollar.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-27

 

 

[darksidedog]

England 9 Thailand 0.

[Laughing Gravy]

Well done the police. It was common sense that this lunatic could not have made such a sophisticated device. Lets hope they round up all extremists and send them packing. Why waste taxes by putting them in Jail and them breeding more hatred and getting special rights on their food. I have seen it, it is a con. Stuffing their faces when nobody is looking with pork and at Ramadan. Hypocrites

[goldenbrwn1]

Corbyn seems to be promising a lot. Every time he speaks he say he's bringing back this, that and the other. As soon as the tories are criticised on any policy, he quickly responds with we won't do that, we will bring back this or that. Where is this money coming from?? Bye bye trident?    

      Anyway back on topic. The British police are fantastic, well done.  Let's hope common sense prevails with the way taxpayers money which  is being wasted keeping an eye on the 3000 or so fanatics that are biding their time! Nick em , jail em, send em back to Syria, preferably to the Assad/Russian lines.

Edited May 27, 2017 by goldenbrwn1

[ResandePohm]

Brilliant work by the British police and no thanks to the Yanky Security Services leaking confidential information

[onthesoi]

Arrests only, not been charged yet and still have the trial to go...

 

Support for May's Conservatives fell to 43 percent while backing for Labour rose to 38 percent

 

Jeez, looks like May has taken a battering off the back of this attack.

Edited May 27, 2017 by onthesoi

[dick dasterdly]

33 minutes ago, ResandePohm said:

Brilliant work by the British police and no thanks to the Yanky Security Services leaking confidential information

And apparently no harm done either by the 'yankies' letting everyone know the highly secret information that it was a suicide bomber....  So its good to hear that the police have arrested others involved.

 

The following part of the article is extremely disturbing:-

"The Guardian newspaper, without citing sources, said three of the 10 people arrested so far were brothers who were believed to be cousins of the bomber. Abedi's father and two brothers have also been arrested in Britain and in Libya."

 

I realise that back in '94 islamic extremists were a 'blip on the radar' - but even so, why would any religious extremists be granted assylum in the UK?

Edited May 27, 2017 by dick dasterdly

[Krataiboy]

We are reaping what we have sown. It is no good us crying foul when we get a dose of our own medicine from Islamic fundamentalists from countries like Libya, Iraq and Syria where we have killed countless civilian men, women and children in support of US hegemony.

 

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. If we don't wake up to this fact and stop supporting the murderous White House strategy of  toppling the leaderships of seven Middle Eastern and countries in five years, we can expect more of the kind of carnage that has put Manchester and the rest of the country in mourning.

 

My heart bleeds for the victims of the bombing. Should it not also bleed for the countless thousands of innocent children and adults already killed, with more dying every day, in conflicts fomented deliberately in pursuit of the grotesque American dream of total world domination?

 

The US is already the world's wealthiest nation and the greatest military superpower in human history, with more than 700 military bases worldwide and a nuclear arsenal capable of destroying not only any nation which stands in its way but the entire planet - several times over.

 

When will enough be enough - and when will Britain, which has shown the courage to reject further political and economic subjugation to the EU, have the guts to do the same when it comes to supporting US wars and proxy wars?

 

The question is far from academic. Even as refugees from the Syrian war continue to flood into Europe, Donald Trump is ramping up a hate campaign against Iran -  next on the US list for regime change. His threats are underscored by a massive new arms deal with the medievalist Saudi regime - who hate the Ayatollahs even more than the averaged brainwashed American does.

 

This time around, Britain must say no to support a war which can only cause more deaths among innocent civilians - and more Manchesters.

 

 

[Caps]

4 hours ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

Corbyn seems to be promising a lot. Every time he speaks he say he's bringing back this, that and the other. As soon as the tories are criticised on any policy, he quickly responds with we won't do that, we will bring back this or that. Where is this money coming from?? Bye bye trident?    

      Anyway back on topic. The British police are fantastic, well done.  Let's hope common sense prevails with the way taxpayers money which  is being wasted keeping an eye on the 3000 or so fanatics that are biding their time! Nick em , jail em, send em back to Syria, preferably to the Assad/Russian lines.

Yep, Corbyn promising a lot, maybe he'll bring back his mates in the IRA too while he is at it!

 

Good job by the UK Police

Edited May 27, 2017 by Caps

[elgordo38]

4 hours ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

Corbyn seems to be promising a lot. Every time he speaks he say he's bringing back this, that and the other. As soon as the tories are criticised on any policy, he quickly responds with we won't do that, we will bring back this or that. Where is this money coming from?? Bye bye trident?    

      Anyway back on topic. The British police are fantastic, well done.  Let's hope common sense prevails with the way taxpayers money which  is being wasted keeping an eye on the 3000 or so fanatics that are biding their time! Nick em , jail em, send em back to Syria, preferably to the Assad/Russian lines.

Good read throw your hat in the ring. Could not be any worse than what is being offered up at the moment. Both sides are believers in "Never let a good crisis go to waste"

[Caps]

1 hour ago, Krataiboy said:

We are reaping what we have sown. It is no good us crying foul when we get a dose of our own medicine from Islamic fundamentalists from countries like Libya, Iraq and Syria where we have killed countless civilian men, women and children in support of US hegemony.

 

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. If we don't wake up to this fact and stop supporting the murderous White House strategy of  toppling the leaderships of seven Middle Eastern and countries in five years, we can expect more of the kind of carnage that has put Manchester and the rest of the country in mourning.

 

My heart bleeds for the victims of the bombing. Should it not also bleed for the countless thousands of innocent children and adults already killed, with more dying every day, in conflicts fomented deliberately in pursuit of the grotesque American dream of total world domination?

 

The US is already the world's wealthiest nation and the greatest military superpower in human history, with more than 700 military bases worldwide and a nuclear arsenal capable of destroying not only any nation which stands in its way but the entire planet - several times over.

 

When will enough be enough - and when will Britain, which has shown the courage to reject further political and economic subjugation to the EU, have the guts to do the same when it comes to supporting US wars and proxy wars?

 

The question is far from academic. Even as refugees from the Syrian war continue to flood into Europe, Donald Trump is ramping up a hate campaign against Iran -  next on the US list for regime change. His threats are underscored by a massive new arms deal with the medievalist Saudi regime - who hate the Ayatollahs even more than the averaged brainwashed American does.

 

This time around, Britain must say no to support a war which can only cause more deaths among innocent civilians - and more Manchesters.

 

 

So can I now have your infinite wisdom on why the 'Religion of Peace' are killing Christians in Egypt or in the Philippines, or in some of the African Countries.  Probably more if I bother to do research.  

Or are they too just reaping what they sow?  

Or is it just because Islam/Muslims or whatever you decide to call it are just plain horrible and don't value anything or anyone except their culture/religion?

Edited May 27, 2017 by Caps

[dick dasterdly]

1 hour ago, Krataiboy said:

We are reaping what we have sown. It is no good us crying foul when we get a dose of our own medicine from Islamic fundamentalists from countries like Libya, Iraq and Syria where we have killed countless civilian men, women and children in support of US hegemony.

 

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. If we don't wake up to this fact and stop supporting the murderous White House strategy of  toppling the leaderships of seven Middle Eastern and countries in five years, we can expect more of the kind of carnage that has put Manchester and the rest of the country in mourning.

 

My heart bleeds for the victims of the bombing. Should it not also bleed for the countless thousands of innocent children and adults already killed, with more dying every day, in conflicts fomented deliberately in pursuit of the grotesque American dream of total world domination?

 

The US is already the world's wealthiest nation and the greatest military superpower in human history, with more than 700 military bases worldwide and a nuclear arsenal capable of destroying not only any nation which stands in its way but the entire planet - several times over.

 

When will enough be enough - and when will Britain, which has shown the courage to reject further political and economic subjugation to the EU, have the guts to do the same when it comes to supporting US wars and proxy wars?

 

The question is far from academic. Even as refugees from the Syrian war continue to flood into Europe, Donald Trump is ramping up a hate campaign against Iran -  next on the US list for regime change. His threats are underscored by a massive new arms deal with the medievalist Saudi regime - who hate the Ayatollahs even more than the averaged brainwashed American does.

 

This time around, Britain must say no to support a war which can only cause more deaths among innocent civilians - and more Manchesters.

 

 

I'm SOOO tired of all the bullshit around 'small' wars - which always revolve around money/power/wealth/resources.... 

 

And sadly, these 'small wars' in moslem countries always results in more moslem extremists (even in Western countries), a few of whom are easy to turn into terrorists.....

[dick dasterdly]

3 minutes ago, Caps said:

So can I now have your infinite wisdom on why the 'Religion of Peace' are killing Christians in Egypt or in the Philippines, or in some of the African Countries.  Probably more if I bother to do research.  

Or are they too just reaping what they sow?  

Or is it just because Islam/Muslims or whatever you decide to call it are just plain horrible and don't value anything or anyone except their culture/religion?

If you want to start a war against the "Religion of Peace" - then start a war against the Saudis.

 

Somehow I know that is not going to happen for a while....

[darksidedog]

Just now, Caps said:

So can I now have your infinite wisdom on why the 'Religion of Peace' are killing Christian in Egypt or in the Philippines, or in some of the African Countries.  Probably more if I bother to do research.  

Or are they too just reaping what they sow?  

Or is it just because Isalm/Muslims or whatever you decide to call it are just plain horrible and don't value anything or anyone except their culture/religion?

When I was a kid the only bombings we had came from the IRA. If you look at history over the last 40 years, you will see that Muslims only started to become aggressive following the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Since that time, there have been numerous foreign incursions into Muslim territory, millions killed and as Kraitaboy rightly pointed out, we are reaping what we sowed.

Now IF, you want to do some research, do so on Religious intolerance. Christianity has a far worse record. And by the tone of your post, you have been believing way too much crap you read in the papers. In fact it is ignorance that is widely responsible for the Islamic religion being labeled a religion of hate, when in truth it is not.

Before you throw a wobbler, let me say I am Christian, I have worked all over the world, have friends of numerous religions and I know how to do my research.

[uptheos]

7 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Well done the police. It was common sense that this lunatic could not have made such a sophisticated device. Lets hope they round up all extremists and send them packing. Why waste taxes by putting them in Jail and them breeding more hatred and getting special rights on their food. I have seen it, it is a con. Stuffing their faces when nobody is looking with pork and at Ramadan. Hypocrites

NO!! Not well done, there are too many potential bombers known to the police and until they have the balls to go after ALL know suspects it will never be 'well done' IMO

[Caps]

1 minute ago, darksidedog said:

When I was a kid the only bombings we had came from the IRA. If you look at history over the last 40 years, you will see that Muslims only started to become aggressive following the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Since that time, there have been numerous foreign incursions into Muslim territory, millions killed and as Kraitaboy rightly pointed out, we are reaping what we sowed.

Now IF, you want to do some research, do so on Religious intolerance. Christianity has a far worse record. And by the tone of your post, you have been believing way too much crap you read in the papers. In fact it is ignorance that is widely responsible for the Islamic religion being labeled a religion of hate, when in truth it is not.

Before you throw a wobbler, let me say I am Christian, I have worked all over the world, have friends of numerous religions and I know how to do my research.

I am so pleased that you know how to do research.  I didn't ask about the IRA, I also didn't ask about religious intolerance.

The post had no tone it was just a question.  As for crap in the papers, I have been working in Iraq for 4 years out of the last 6, sat here whilst typing this, so I know a little bit of what they are like and how they think.  But I don't profess to be an expert 

I asked, did they reap what they sow or is it just the way they are.

Contrary to popular believe you are not the only one who has worked all over the world or who has friends of different religions.  

 

[theoldgit]

Nonsense post removed.

[animalmagic]

Hmm, religious wars based on that well founded, totally logical premise of, "My imaginary friend is better than yours."

What could possibly be wrong with that?

[citybiker]

NO!! Not well done, there are too many potential bombers known to the police and until they have the balls to go after ALL know suspects it will never be 'well done' IMO

Please explain how you focus and priorities 'potential bombers' from a Police point of view, resources and capability. Bearing in mind they do work in conjunction with our intelligence services based on credible tangible Intel.

MI5 only recently released figures, 500 ongoing active cases with up to 4500 person's of interest. It's a logistical nightmare and also impossible to allocate manpower to ALL.

So personally, a bloody well done to the Police.


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[Orac]

Please explain how you focus and priorities 'potential bombers' from a Police point of view, resources and capability. Bearing in mind they do work in conjunction with our intelligence services based on credible tangible Intel.

MI5 only recently released figures, 500 ongoing active cases with up to 4500 person's of interest. It's a logistical nightmare and also impossible to allocate manpower to ALL.

So personally, a bloody well done to the Police.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Priorities must be based around an adequate risk profile of any potential terrorist who has come to the attention of the security services. In this case the police have done a fantastic job after the event in my opinion but I have serious doubts about what the security services have done to monitor him previously given the reports coming out that plenty of warnings were giveen by his mosque, others in his community and even the FBI apparently.

[citybiker]

Priorities must be based around an adequate risk profile of any potential terrorist who has come to the attention of the security services. In this case the police have done a fantastic job after the event in my opinion but I have serious doubts about what the security services have done to monitor him previously given the reports coming out that plenty of warnings were giveen by his mosque, others in his community and even the FBI apparently.

The security services have opened up an internal investigation of the Manchester attack, I'll await any further ridicule until complete facts are known however it could be possible that further legislation or an uplight in resources will definitely be implemented.

It'll also be interesting to see if the 5 eye's agreement will be reviewed or definitely improved, along with other overseas agency involvement.


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