Man arrested in Britain over ‘Punish a Muslim Day’ letters

British counter-terrorism police on Tuesday arrested a man on suspicion of sending letters entitled “Punish a Muslim Day” that urged people around the country to commit violent acts.

 

British counter-terrorism police on Tuesday arrested a man on suspicion of sending letters entitled “Punish a Muslim Day” that urged people around the country to commit violent acts.

The unnamed 35-year-old from Lincoln in northeast England was arrested on suspicion of sending letters conveying a threatening message and of sending a hoax noxious substance. He was taken to a police station for questioning. 

“These letters seek to cause fear and offence among our Muslim communities. They also seek to divide us,” said Martin Snowden, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, in an earlier statement on the investigation, Reuters reported. 

“Yet in spite of this our communities have shown strength in their response to such hatred and in their support for each other.” 

The letters, which designated April 3 as “Punish a Muslim Day” and proposed ranking acts of violence according to a points system, started arriving in some people’s post in March. Among others, four members of parliament with South Asian backgrounds received copies.