London terror arrests: Met charges five teenagers

From the BBC and the London Evening Standard

The five males, aged between 15 and 19, were arrested on Monday after a “proactive” operation by the Met’s counter-terrorism unit. .. suspicion of planning to flee Britain to fight for Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.  The Met’s counter terror detectives are investigating alleged plans by the teenagers, four of whom are schoolchildren, to travel to join the jihadist terror group after communicating with each other online.
Ahmedeltigani Alsyed, 19, from Hounslow, is the only suspect who can be legally named.

Four of the five are charged with preparation of terrorist acts, illegal under the 2006 Terrorism Act. The charges are:

  • A 17-year-old from Merton charged with preparation of terrorist acts and collection of information.
  • A 16-year-old from Lambeth charged with preparation of terrorist acts.
  • A 17-year-old from Hounslow charged with preparation of terrorist acts and dissemination of terrorist publications.
  • A 15-year-old from Waltham Forest charged with collection of information and two counts of dissemination of terrorist publications.
  • Ahmedeltigani Alsyed, 19 from Hounslow, charged with preparation of terrorist acts and collection of information

They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 February.