Monday, August 31, 2020

Two men held under Terrorism Act after Typhoon jets intercept passenger plane

Two men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act at Stansted Airport after Typhoon jets were scrambled to intercept a passenger plane.
The pair - a 34-year-old man from Kuwait and a 48-year-old man from Italy - were detained shortly after 7pm on Sunday after arriving on a Ryanair flight from Vienna, police said.


 

Essex Police said in a statement: "Counter Terrorism Policing officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit have this evening (Sunday) detained two men under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act (2000).
"Enquiries are ongoing."
An RAF spokesperson said: "Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched this evening (Sunday) to intercept a civilian aircraft. The aircraft was escorted safely to Stansted."
Ryanair added: "The crew of a Ryanair flight from Vienna to London Stansted this evening (30 Aug) were alerted of a potential security threat on board.
"In line with procedures, the captain informed UK authorities and continued to London Stansted, where the aircraft landed normally and taxied to a remote stand where passengers disembarked safely.


"Passengers in London Stansted waiting to depart to Vienna were transferred to a spare aircraft to minimise the delay to their flight.
"This is now a matter for the local police".

https://news.sky.com/story/two-men-held-under-terrorism-act-after-typhoon-jets-intercept-passenger-plane-12060077