4 British army members linked to neo-Nazi group have been arrested

Four serving members of the army were arrested under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of being members of a banned far-right group, British defense officials and police said Tuesday.

The four men are alleged to be members of the neo-Nazi group National Action. The group is banned in Britain, and membership or inviting support for the organization is a criminal offense carrying a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The group has been linked to the murder of Labor Party lawmaker Jo Cox in 2016.

The West Midlands Counterterrorism Unit said Tuesday it had arrested four people on suspicion of preparing terrorism acts. The force said the men were detained as part of a “pre-planned and intelligence-led” operation and said there was “no threat to the public’s safety.”

Several properties were raided in connection with the arrests.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd banned National Action after an assessment that it was “concerned in terrorism” ahead of the trial of right-wing extremist Thomas Mair, who was convicted in Cox’s murder.

UPDATES:

5:25 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details and background.

This article was originally published at 4:20 a.m.