Two teenagers were arrested in England over suspected connections to the Texas synagogue hostage situation on Saturday.
No details were released about the pair, although it is presumed they may be connected to Malik Faisal Akram, the individual identified as the hostage-taker.
The teenagers were arrested “as part of the ongoing investigation into the attack,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement to the BBC. They were being held in custody for questioning.
ARMED MAN IN TEXAS SYNAGOGUE SITUATION IDENTIFIED
Akram was identified as the hostage-taker by the FBI on Sunday. No details were released about Akram except for his British citizenship. Akram arrived in the United States two weeks ago via New York’s JFK International Airport, according to police sources.
Akram, whom investigators say was “singularly focused on one issue” that was “not specifically related to the Jewish community,” had entered the synagogue while a livestream was up. Akram claimed to be the brother of Aafia Siddiqui, a woman who was found guilty for the attempted murder of a U.S. soldier. Siddiqui’s actual biological brother denied holding the people hostage, according to statements from his lawyers.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Akram demanded Siddiqui’s release in exchange for the four hostages’ lives. After 11 hours, law enforcement reported that all the hostages were safe and unharmed and that Akram was dead.
Akram’s brother Gulbar confirmed the death in a Facebook statement, reported the BBC. He apologized to the victims and claimed that his brother was suffering from mental health problems.
President Joe Biden released a statement on Sunday describing the hostage situation as an “act of terror,” and he stated that “we’re not going to tolerate this.”
