Arson Attacks on Iranian Media, Synagogue, Jewish Charity

0:00On April 16, Mundance counterterrorism cops are digging into three arson attacks, hitting an Iranian dissident media outfit in Jewish spots. First, an igniting container tossed at Iran International's Wimbly Office car park fire, fizzled out quick. Then an attempted fire bomb on Finchley reform synagogue, plus last month's blaze on four ambulances from a Jewish charity in Golders Green. Earlier this week, after a chase with armed response, police knapped a 16-year-old boy and two men ages 19 and 21 for the Wimbly. Job on suspicion of arson endangering life. A 47-year-old woman and 46-year-old man are still held for the synagogue hit. Meanwhile, two 18-year-olds got picked up in East London over the ambulances. One for arson and ten, the other conspiracy, adding to three charged, and one on bail. Folks are on edge with fears of Iranian state involvement, using criminal proxies like in past cases. Met deputy commissioner Matt Jukes pointed to Dylan Earl, doing 17 years for a Russian-ordered arson in London,

1:05warning against getting mixed, up in that mess. Some suspects here have shady criminal histories, too. Counterterror lead Bikki Evans says it's early days, no terror labels yet, but their units running the show with full specialist resources. A militant crew, Harcat Ashab al-Yaman al-Islamia, claimed the ambulances and synagogue attacks, plus others in Europe. Cops know him well, it's one threat among many, with a fifth of their work now on hostile state ops. He ran international, called it a serious threat, amid rising harassment on their journalist families back home, especially after recent ops there. Investigations roll on, keeping all lines open to nail the motives and connections.