Police in the United Kingdom arrested two teenagers Sunday who were allegedly connected to the hostage-taking at Congregation Bath Israel in Colleyville, Texas this weekend.
The Greater Manchester Police said in a statement posted to Twitter, "As part of the ongoing investigation into the attack that took place at a Synagogue in Texas on 15 January 2022, Officers from the Counter Terror Policing North West have made two arrests in relation to the incident."
#UPDATE | Counter Terrorism Policing North West update following the events in Texas: pic.twitter.com/Q3o08bc8Js
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) January 16, 2022
The statement added that "Two teenagers were detained in South Manchester this evening. They remain in custody for questioning."
The statement followed Malik Faisal, a British national, having been identified as the suspect by the FBI in the hostage-taking at the synagogue on Saturday.
Media has published first photos of the #ColleyvilleSynagogue hostage taker, Malik Faisal Akram. Akram, a devout Muslim from Blackburn, England, had recently entered the US. His brother released a statement claiming his brother released the hostages unharmed before being killed. pic.twitter.com/tXFnBMgSql
— Andy Ngô ???? (@MrAndyNgo) January 16, 2022
The standoff lasted 11 hours, part of which was captured on the synagogue’s live stream of Sabbath services and ended in the 4 hostages, which included the synagogue’s rabbi, escaping unharmed and Akram being shot by the authorities.
Akram was heard on the live stream demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year prison sentence in Texas for attempting murder American service members in Afghanistan.
FBI Dallas said in an emailed statement, "The FBI's Evidence Response Team (ERT) will continue processing evidence at the synagogue. At this time, there is no indication that other individuals are involved."
Meeting with press in Philadelphia on Sunday, President Joe Biden said that the deceased suspect had previously been arrested 15 years ago and was jailed for 10 years. He noted that he may have stayed in a homeless shelter after landing in the US.
Biden said that Akram obtained the weapon used on Saturday "on the street," possibly within the homeless community, but he was still getting more information, according to Fox News.
"This was an act of terror," Biden said, praising the FBI. Biden vowed that he would speak with the synagogue's rabbi on how his administration can support houses of worship with "the antisemitism that's ramping up."
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
