Two Latvian Men Arrested for Breaching RAF Base in the UK

Two Latvian men were arrested for breaching the perimeter fence at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Molesworth base in southeastern England, according to UK police. The arrests occurred on Thursday, with the suspects, aged 36 and 32, taken into custody by counterterrorism police. They are being held on suspicion of trespassing, causing criminal damage, and entering a prohibited place 'for a purpose prejudicial to the UK.' RAF Molesworth, a former World War II airbase, is currently managed by the US Air Force and houses intelligence personnel from US Africa Command and the NATO Intelligence Fusion Center. The incident follows a recent foiled terror plot at another UK air base. The investigation began after an abandoned vehicle was found near the base around 10 p.m. local time on Wednesday, leading to the discovery of a small hole in the perimeter fence. The suspects were arrested at approximately 2 a.m. on Thursday. Both men remain in police custody, and the counterterrorism police are investigating the matter. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of the counterterrorism unit, stated that while there is heightened concern around military sites, there is 'nothing to suggest' a connection between this incident and the recent events at RAF Fairford, where three suspicious vans were discovered, leading to seven arrests. The US European Command acknowledged the incident but did not provide details on specific force protection measures.