News / International
South Africa: man held on UK bio-terror charge
12 Feb 2011 at 21:48hrs | Views
A 64-year-old South African businessman was arrested on a terrorism charge on Saturday for allegedly threatening the UK government, police minister Nathi Mthethwa said.
He was apprehended at 10:30 in Hartbeespoort in the North West.
The arrest follows an intensive six-month investigation by South African and British police as well as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
"The suspect repeatedly through letters and e-mails demanded an amount of $4m in exchange for not deploying a biological agent within the borders of the United Kingdom," said Mthethwa.
"This biological agent, if deployed, would have caused the destruction of property and resulted in major economic loss."
Police said this was regarded as a "very serious threat" against the UK.
It is alleged that a similar threat was also made against the United State.
"Intensive and highly complicated multidisciplinary investigations and the subsequent take-down operation this morning involved the application of specialised components and methodologies of the SA Police Service," said Mthethwa.
He was apprehended at 10:30 in Hartbeespoort in the North West.
The arrest follows an intensive six-month investigation by South African and British police as well as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
"The suspect repeatedly through letters and e-mails demanded an amount of $4m in exchange for not deploying a biological agent within the borders of the United Kingdom," said Mthethwa.
"This biological agent, if deployed, would have caused the destruction of property and resulted in major economic loss."
Police said this was regarded as a "very serious threat" against the UK.
It is alleged that a similar threat was also made against the United State.
"Intensive and highly complicated multidisciplinary investigations and the subsequent take-down operation this morning involved the application of specialised components and methodologies of the SA Police Service," said Mthethwa.
Source - SAPA
