Terror arrest shock sweeps through Wolverhampton

The arrest of a Wolverhampton terror suspect alleged to be connected to an extremist website calling for attacks against pro-war MPs was met with shock today.

The 23-year-old remained in custody today on suspicion of encouraging an act of terrorism in connection with a blog listing politicians who backed the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq.

He is being questioned in connection with the RevolutionMuslim.com website, which appeared to incite users to attack MPs who voted for the Iraq conflict.

The website, which has now been taken down, was visited by a radicalised student, who was jailed for life earlier this week for stabbing MP Stephen Timms.

It published a list of the 395 MPs who voted for the war and called on Muslims to "raise the knife of jihad" against them.

Computer equipment was seized at the man's house in Dunstall, but he was arrested at another location outside the city.

Mohammed Wajid Akhtar, aged 24, of Dunstall Road, runs the Muslims In Networking Together (MINT) organisation, a multi-faith group for young people living in the St Peter's Ward.

Mr Akhtar, a former leader of the Wolverhampton University Islamic Society, said today: "I'm completely baffled and surprised.

"Wolverhampton has been quite far away from this sort of thing.

"If there is anything in this, or anyone who supports such websites, then we completely condemn that.

"I'm not aware of any rumours of any extremist views. We have 110 members, including 30 women, and if it's one of the local lads, then it's very baffling.

"I will be talking to the executives about this and see if we can find out more."

A worshipper outside Central Mosque at Dunstall Hill said: "It's a surprise that something like this can happen so close to us, really.

"It's just not what you expect to happen in the area."