Police in Great Britain announced on Thursday that they had arrested two men in connection with the hostage-taking situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville.
Greater Manchester Police announced the arrests on Twitter on Thursday, January 20.
“Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North West continue to support U.S. authorities with their investigation into the events in Texas,” Greater Manchester Police said in a tweet. “As a result of this ongoing investigation, two men have been arrested this morning in Birmingham and Manchester. They remain in custody for questioning. CTP North West Officers continue to liaise with and support colleagues from other forces.”
Police in Great Britain did not reveal the identities of the men, and no information was provided as to how both men were connected to the Colleyville incident.
On Sunday, January 16, Greater Manchester Police announced on Twitter that it arrested two teens in connection with the hostage-taking situation in Colleyville. Police in Britain also did not say how the teens were connected to the crime, and their identities were also not released.
Both teenagers, however, are the sons of Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a British citizen, a senior law enforcement official told NBC News.
Akram is accused of taking four people hostage during a Shabbat service at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.
According to The Dallas Morning News, one hostage was released just hours into the standoff while the remaining three escaped about eleven hours into the ordeal. All four hostages were unharmed.
In another tweet on Tuesday, January 18, Greater Manchester Police said both teens had been released without charge.
Greater Manchester Police said it continues to work with U.S. law enforcement agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the hostage situation.
