Two men arrested in Manchester and Birmingham in counter-terror police swoop to remain in custody

Two men arrested in Manchester and Birmingham in connection with the Texas synagogue hostage-taking remain in custody.

Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from Blackburn, took four people hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, on Saturday night but was shot dead when the FBI entered the building following the siege. The hostages escaped unharmed.

Two teenagers were arrested in south Manchester on Sunday in connection with the investigation but were released without charge.

Greater Manchester police confirmed on Thursday morning that another two men had been arrested in connection with the probe.

And on Friday afternoon Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) said the men would be remaining in custody as they had been given an extension to the time they can hold them for further questioning.

In a statement on Thursday, GMP said: “Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North West continue to support US authorities with their investigation into the events in Texas.

“As a result of this ongoing investigation, two men have been arrested this morning in Birmingham and Manchester. They remain in custody for questioning.”

On Friday CTPNW said they continue to work closely with colleagues from other forces and urged the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police via the anti-terrorism hotline or the Government’s website.

It emerged earlier this week that Khan was known to British authorities and his brother Gulbar has questioned how he managed to get into the USA.