Police Stop Activist at Heathrow After Russia Trip
British police stopped a man at Heathrow airport on Saturday and seized his phones under counter-terrorism powers. The man had returned from Russia via Turkey and was released after questioning.
paulthepaperbear.wordpress.comBritish police stopped a man at Heathrow airport on Saturday after he arrived on a flight from Russia via Turkey. Officers seized his communication devices under Schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. The man was interviewed and later released.
Background on the stop The legislation allows police to examine people suspected of hostile activity linked to a foreign state. A Home Office code of practice states the powers apply whether or not the person knows their activity is considered hostile. The Metropolitan police said the stop occurred around 17:00 on 13 June. The devices will be sent for examination.
Prior activity Social media accounts linked to the man called for protests following a knife attack in Belfast the previous week. During his time in Russia, the man met the father of a technology executive. The man posted on social media that he was held for about three hours and asked supporters for donations toward legal costs.
