Arabic version: شرطة مكافحة الإرهاب تعتقل شخصين بتهمة الحرق العمد في كنيس سابق

Counter-terrorism police have arrested a man and a woman in connection with a suspected arson attack at a former synagogue in east London. The incident occurred at the East London Central Synagogue building in Whitechapel, which ceased operating as a synagogue in 2020. Minor damage was caused to a set of gates and a lock at the front of the building, but fortunately, no injuries were sustained.

According to BBC News, the arrests were made on Sunday, with the suspects being a 45-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman. They are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson. The fire was reported at 05:16 BST, and preliminary investigations indicated that it was started intentionally, prompting the involvement of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London.

Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads CTP London, described the arrests as a “significant step” in the ongoing investigation. She emphasized the commitment to arrest and charge those responsible for the recent spate of arson attacks and other incidents targeting Jewish, Israeli, and Iranian sites.

Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, noted that this attack occurred at a synagogue that is in the process of being sold to a local Somali Muslim organization. He condemned the act as horrendous and reiterated the importance of community safety and solidarity against hate crimes.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as there have been multiple arson attacks on Jewish sites in London since late March, alongside a double stabbing in Golders Green that police are treating as an act of terrorism.