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Three held in serious crime probe | Three held in serious crime probe |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Police are questioning three people as part of a serious crime investigation. | |
Prominent republican Brian Arthurs was arrested after searches in the Armagh and Dungannon areas on Friday. Two others were arrested on Saturday. | Prominent republican Brian Arthurs was arrested after searches in the Armagh and Dungannon areas on Friday. Two others were arrested on Saturday. |
The police denied claims made by Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey that officers were "heavy handed" in arresting Mr Arthurs. | |
Former DUP member turned critic, Jim Allister MEP, said Sinn Fein's policing stance had not changed, and this raised fundamental questions for Ian Paisley. | |
Complaint | |
Mr Maskey said the PSNI operation was "unacceptable" and said he had complained to the British government about the nature of the operation. | |
Responding to Mr Maskey's criticism, the police said the searches made in a "proportionate and appropriate manner". | |
"Anyone who has a complaint about the actions of police should contact the offices of the Police Ombudsman," the PSNI said in a statement. | "Anyone who has a complaint about the actions of police should contact the offices of the Police Ombudsman," the PSNI said in a statement. |
"We do not comment on named individuals and we do not comment on, or confirm, the identity of those arrested by police." | "We do not comment on named individuals and we do not comment on, or confirm, the identity of those arrested by police." |
Mr Arthurs is being questioned at the serious crime unit in Antrim. | Mr Arthurs is being questioned at the serious crime unit in Antrim. |