Five held over Pope visit 'terrorist' threat
Benedict XVI presides over a Celebration of Catholic Education at St Mary's University College, in south-west London.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a "terrorist" attack linked to the ongoing state visit of Pope Benedict XVI, Scotland Yard said today.
Police said the men were arrested early this morning "on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism" but the itinerary and policing arrangements for the Pope's visit remain unchanged.
The Pope was informed.
The five, said to be Algerian and aged between 26 and 50, were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act at what police said was a business premises in central London at around 5:45am.
Searches at that property and houses in north and east London have not so far recovered any "hazardous items," Scotland Yard said.
"Following today's arrests the policing arrangements for the papal visit were reviewed and we are satisfied that our current policing plan remains appropriate," Scotland Yard said in a statement.
"The itinerary has not changed. There is no change to the UK threat level."
The Pope is spending today in London conducting a series of engagements on the second day of his state visit, including meeting Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and holding joint prayers with him at Westminster Abbey.
That service will be attended by figures reportedly set to include Britain's former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
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Martin Cassar
Sep 17th 2010, 19:36
Mr. Stephen Koludrovic.asks: Why must there be so much hate in some parts of the muslim community? The simple answer is that, we are living in a’ new’ world order [or [DISORDER?] suzerained by one BIG Dad wishing to forcefully dedicate his rule…do as I say or else.... The Middle East where Muslim are living is practically the only crucial region on planet earth that has various resources of wealth and deterrent weapons to protect these resources do not exists except where the victims of the Holocausts are now living-in a border less and above law country called ‘Israel’. This ‘new’ world order is being controlled by some weird laws. If you say something pro justice you will be swiftly accused of being anti-Semitic and if your country refuse to surrender to either the USA or ‘Israel’ it will be portrayed as terrorists even if your country never ever dropped the nuclear bomb on innocent civilians Japanese. Adding the religion element to this equation makes things work and keeps wars on and the weapons manufacturers industry gets wealthier. Equally,keeping Israel part of the equation is essential element to keep recycling the terrorism business.
Martin Cassar
Sep 17th 2010, 16:35
@ Ernest Vella With same reasoning I would also ask, did the 6 Millions Jews Holocausted by Hitler do any thing wrong to any one? Or the hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese that were killed by nuclear bomb? Or the 20+ Millions died inside Europe during the two world wars wars? or the tens of Millions died and stalked during the darkest era of mankind called crusade/inquisitions, or the daily pogrom committed where peace was born (Palestine)?, or country [A] attacking country to steal it’s resources….etc the list of the actual roots and conditions for 'terrorism' could get taller and taller
joseph cachia
Sep 17th 2010, 16:28
@S Koludrvic
Them parts of muslim communities hate american obscured religions and their
PREACHERS, not all WORLD CATHOLICS.
Myself hanging the cross round neck, been years roaming with muslims of all mentalities, never been insulted or treathened being a ROMAN CATHOLIC.
Only in GEZEYR (ALGIERIA) we risk limb from muslims, though only when our help
is not sought.
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 17th 2010, 15:37
Why must there be so much hate in some parts of the muslim community?
Janet Bayes
Sep 17th 2010, 15:45
So Stephen - - you think hatred is exclusive to the muslim community? There is hatred in all communities my dear man. The world over - - and Malta is no more exempt from it than elsewhere.
Adrian Mercieca
Sep 17th 2010, 16:35
Israel's treatment of the Palestinians - all with the blessing of the USA and with the rest of the western world turning a blind eye.
That's why the hatred!
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 17th 2010, 18:13
@ True there might be some sort of hatred all around ther world, however its not so intense as with this lot. The destroying of the Budda statues in Afganisthan, the Bombings in Bali,the Twin towers in NYC, The underground bombing in London, The Madrid train Bombs,The attempted assasination of Pope Paul John, The shoe bomber, and not to forget the bombs in Moscow and other parts of Russia..The list goes on and on. Now they are even turning on themselves like in Iraq and Pakistan Of course, this is my view of how I see the situation,others might have a different opinion.
Manuel Mangani
Sep 17th 2010, 21:32
What did the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II have to do with the Muslim world,other than that Ali Agca happened to have been born Muslim?
Joseph Dingli
Sep 17th 2010, 15:31
Apparently God works in mysterious ways. So, if God, in his infinite wisdom, decide that the Pope should be assassinated, wouldn't trying to stop his assassins be going against the will of God? Good thing he has bulletproof glass...
victor pulis
Sep 17th 2010, 14:45
While watching the live transmission of the Pope's visit on Skynews I couldn't help noticing that as the Pope's carcade was travelling on the highway towards Glasgow, cars of all shapes and sizes could be seen travelling in the opposite directions only metres away from the Popemobile . Any deranged suicide bomber could have easily driven his vehicle and ignited it just as he came alongside the Pope's car. So much for tight security.
Ramon Casha
Sep 17th 2010, 14:27
The chair looks like it was designed using centimeters but built using inches or something.
"Honey I shrunk the Pope!"
Ernest Vella
Sep 17th 2010, 14:22
Why attacking the Pope? He never insulted any religion but he preached for mutual respect and reconciliation between the people...Seems that someone who have power on media in certain countries likes to draw the Pope as an evil person...which for sure is not...incredible saying but for example only an Iranian TV was present for the burning of a Koran book...very well made but it is for sure a fake.
God bless the Pope, and all the people of good will in every religion.
Mark Vella
Sep 17th 2010, 14:42
With the same reasoning, did the thousands of people that were killed in the Twin Towers attacks insult anyone?