UK counterterrorism police detain 3 at Heathrow

UK counterterrorism police detain 3 at Heathrow

LONDON - Associated Press
UK counterterrorism police detain 3 at Heathrow

AP photo

U.K. police say three men flying in from Oman have been arrested at Heathrow Airport by counterterrorism officers.

West Midlands police says the men all from Birmingham, England were detained Thursday night "on suspicion of possessing articles and documents with intent to use them for terrorist purposes overseas." It was not immediately clear what airline the men arrived on or if they were U.K. nationals.

Police said Friday that the arrests were pre-planned and intelligence-led, stressing that the arrests were not in response to any immediate threat to public safety.

Police say two of the suspects are 33-years-old and the third is 39.

Heathrow Airport officials declined to comment.