Extremist linked to city arrests

A UK extremist who has boasted of recruiting 200 Brits to slaughter our troops in Afghanistan has been linked to Manchester terror raids.
Hassan Butt, 26, also told journalists in 2002 that he would personally encourage attacks on political and military targets in the UK.
The activist, a self-proclaimed spokesman for Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed’s al-Muhajiroun group, was brought up in Cheetham Hill, Greater Manchester. He is now based in Lahore, Pakistan.
At 6am on Saturday cops swooped on one of his closest childhood friends in Cheetham Hill.
A man believed to be the friend’s brother was also arrested. Both are being held under the Terrorism Act 2000.
One of the brothers is an employee of Manchester City Council.
The arrests happened a mile from a house where DC Stephen Oake was stabbed to death by Algerian ricin-plotter Kamel Bourgass during an anti-terror raid in 2003.
Yesterday a highly-placed source said: "One of those arrested was a close friend of Hassan Butt.
"He had radical ideas like Butt but it was thought he had calmed down. He has just come back from Pakistan after getting married."
Three houses were raided. Forensic teams could be seen still searching the properties yesterday.
Unarmed officers first smashed through the door of one home and the adjacent semi.
The houses are home to a large family which has lived there for at least ten years and originated from Jehlum, Pakistan. A bungalow was also raided.
Neighbour Saeed Zia, 53, said: "They are a lovely family and I see them every day. I am shocked."