http://casualsunited.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/17-quizzed-in-uk-terror-raids/Detectives were today questioning 17 people arrested in the UK’s largest round-up of terrorist suspects since September 11.
The group were being held in Leicester where they were being quizzed about possible links to the al-Qaida network and alleged plans for terrorist attacks in Europe.
They are suspected of engaging in credit card fraud to raise money for terrorism.
Nine of the group, all men aged 23 to 40, have been arrested for suspected terrorism offences.
The remaining eight people, including two women, are being held in connection with immigration matters.
Sixteen of the group were arrested in Leicester yesterday and today.
The 17th suspect, a 27-year-old man held for suspected terrorist offences, was arrested in north London yesterday and then taken to Leicester for questioning with the others.
Specialist teams completed searches at six addresses in Leicester and one in London last night and searches were continuing at two Leicester homes today.
The arrests were made in a joint operation between Leicestershire Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist branch, supported by the Immigration Service.
Another two men appeared before Leicester magistrates yesterday accused of being members of the al-Qaida network.
The two Algerian men, believed to have been arrested in Leicester in September, were remanded in custody until January 24.
Baghdad Meziane, 36, was charged with directing al-Qaida, inciting an act of terrorism overseas and four charges relating to the financing of terrorism.
Brahim Bemerzouga, 30, was charged with membership of al-Qaida, four charges relating to the financing of terrorism, possession of an article for the purposes of terrorism and possession of racially inflammatory material with a view to distribution.
Benmerzouga is accused of possessing 19 videos containing visual images intended to stir up racial hatred and a solar-powered battery pack suspected of being used in terrorism.
Mezaine and Benmerzouga are believed to have been two of three men arrested in Leicester on September 26 last year.
The third, Kamel Daoudi, 23, was returned to France after fleeing when police swooped on suspects there.
He is alleged to have links to the extremist Tafkir wal Hijra (Anathema and Exile) group which is suspected of involvement in a plot to attack the US Embassy in Paris.
Another suspect Djamel Beghal, 35, who is accused of recruiting for al-Qaida, is also being held in France.
Investigators believe he recruited fellow extremists at a mosque in Leicester.
Reports have claimed Beghal recruited London-born shoe-bomb suspect Richard Reid and Zacharius Moussaoui, who had lived in Brixton, south London and is accused in the US of being the 20th September 11 hijacker.
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