A MAN has been arrested at Heathrow Airport in London by police investigation the dissident republican group the New IRA.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have confirmed the arrest.
Officers from Police Scotland are also searching a property in the Blackhall area of Edinburgh following the arrest.
The detention comes after nine people were arrested earlier this week as part of Operation Arbacia.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray confirmed on Twitter that a 62-year-old man has been detained for questioning.
Gray said: “Detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit have today arrested a 62-year-old man at Heathrow Airport under the Terrorism Act as part of Operation Arbacia, an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA.”
“The man, who resides in Scotland and was arrested as part of Operation Arbacia, has been brought to Northern Ireland and is currently in Musgrave Serious Crime Suite where he is being questioned.
"There are now a total of 10 people arrested as part of Operation Arbacia. Two of them have been charged and appeared in court this morning.
“Following the arrest officers from Police Scotland searched a property in Edinburgh.”
Last week, the PSNI conducted a raid of the headquarters of Saoradh in Chamberlain Street in Derry as part of Operation Arbacia.
Update on Operation Arbacia. A 62 year old man has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/riZfE82dru
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 22, 2020
The party’s offices in Belfast, Newry and Dungannon were also targeted in what the police said was a coordinated operation.
A spokesperson for Saoradh said: “Saoradh is not a proscribed organisation, we have as our means political agitation, mobilisation and grassroots activism. Since our formation in 2016 we have grown and we continue to grow.”
