Britain Detains 6 Over Plot To Attack Stock Exchange

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

LONDON (Worthy News) – British police confirmed Sunday they had detained six suspects involved in an alleged Palestinian plot to attack the London Stock Exchange, impacting global financial trade.

“Activists from the Palestine Action group were intending to target the London Stock Exchange on the morning of Monday, 15 January, causing damage and ‘locking on’ in an effort to prevent the building opening for trading,” said London’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in comments monitored by Worthy News.

The reported plot was uncovered while European nations, including Britain, were on alert for possible terror attacks related to the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel said Saturday that the “Hamas terrorist organization” had been planning to attack its embassy in Sweden and other sites as part of an expansion by the Palestinian Islamist group into Europe.

Back in London, the MPS force said it began its investigation after receiving information from the Daily Express tabloid newspaper about a possible disruption of the London Stock Exchange.

Palestine Action was allegedly intending to target the exchange on Monday morning, according to police officials.

PLANNED WEEK

They were allegedly intended to cause damage at one of the world’s leading exchanges and were going to “lock on” to stop the building from opening for trading.

It may have been “one part of a planned week of action,” Detective Superintendent Sian Thomas said in separate remarks, adding that the MPS is coordinating with other security forces to “deal with any disruption in the coming days.”

“These are significant arrests,” Thomas said.

“We believe this group was ready to carry out a disruptive and damaging stunt which could have had serious implications had it been carried out successfully.” He added that he is grateful to the Express [newspaper] for their willingness to provide the information gleaned from their own investigation. It was instrumental in helping us to intervene successfully.”

Police said that in the early hours of Sunday, officers arrested a 31-year-old man in Liverpool on “suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage.”

A further five people, all believed to be part of the same plot, were arrested later on Sunday for the same offense, said Scotland Yard, which polices Greater London.

WOMEN, MEN DETAINED

A 29-year-old woman was detained in Brent, northwest London, and a 23-year-old man was arrested in Tower Hamlets, east London, according to police sources. Two women, aged 28 and 26, were arrested in Liverpool, while a 27-year-old man was arrested in Brighton, police said.

All six reportedly remained in custody on Sunday.

However, Palestine Action, described as a pro-Palestinian protest network, warned it would continue its campaign. “We are unafraid of putting our liberty on the line.”

On Saturday, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through central London.

It was one of many such events in Britain and around the world since the massacre of about 1,200 people in Israel by Hamas on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza.

British and other European authorities have expressed concerns about antisemitism during these rallies, with many shouting slogans such as “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free.”

Critics say the slogan suggests the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people.

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