UK Terror Suspects Back In Custody After Sharing Meme
A group of Muslim men released by authorities earlier this week were back in custody today after police received reports that the men had shared a meme online.
The men, who were apprehended on Sunday in a suspected attempted terror attack at an air base used by U.S. forces, were quickly released on bail before authorities learned that the men had shared a meme, leading to their being arrested again on far more serious charges.
"This is a far more egregious crime," said Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing at New Scotland Yard. "We were willing to let them back out and about in public when they were suspected of preparing to carry out a deadly terrorist attack, but we draw a hard line when it comes to sharing memes online. That is something we cannot allow."
Following reports that they had engaged in meme-sharing, the men were tracked down and taken back into custody, with sources revealing that they were likely to face harsher penalties than they would have faced for terrorism. "Hopefully, this will send a strong message to others," said UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. "While terrorism may be slightly frowned upon, sharing offensive memes on social media is an act that will bring swift consequences."
A New Scotland Yard insider said the men would be kept in solitary confinement without bail, as is customary with dangerous meme-sharers.
At publishing time, authorities announced that they had re-released the men after it was learned that the meme they shared was only derogatory toward Christians.
The men, who were apprehended on Sunday in a suspected attempted terror attack at an air base used by U.S. forces, were quickly released on bail before authorities learned that the men had shared a meme, leading to their being arrested again on far more serious charges.
"This is a far more egregious crime," said Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing at New Scotland Yard. "We were willing to let them back out and about in public when they were suspected of preparing to carry out a deadly terrorist attack, but we draw a hard line when it comes to sharing memes online. That is something we cannot allow."
Following reports that they had engaged in meme-sharing, the men were tracked down and taken back into custody, with sources revealing that they were likely to face harsher penalties than they would have faced for terrorism. "Hopefully, this will send a strong message to others," said UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. "While terrorism may be slightly frowned upon, sharing offensive memes on social media is an act that will bring swift consequences."
A New Scotland Yard insider said the men would be kept in solitary confinement without bail, as is customary with dangerous meme-sharers.
At publishing time, authorities announced that they had re-released the men after it was learned that the meme they shared was only derogatory toward Christians.
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