From: Abdalah Hamis

Police in Tanzania said they have arrested a British national suspected of involvement in unspecified “terrorism activities” in the UK.

Iqbal Ahsan Ali was arrested in Tanzania’s southern Mbeya region suspected of trying to cross border to the neighbouring county.

He was found in possession of both British and Tanzanian passports, a crime in Tanzania which forbids dual citizenship.

“We have been in contact with our counterparts in the UK and they have confirmed that the suspect is wanted in their country for involvement in terrorism activities,” Robert Manumba, director of criminal investigations (DCI).

He said Mr Iqbal was also found to be carrying a laptop containing “seditious material” designed to cause “religious incitement”.

Mr Manumba said in a statement on Friday: “At the border he presented a Tanzanian passport, but when the immigration officers spoke to him in Swahili he was unable to communicate.

“That raised suspicions that led to him being detained for further questioning and in the course of that he was found with the UK passport.”

He continued: “We have been in contact with our counterparts in the UK and they have confirmed that the suspect is wanted in their country for involvement in terrorism activities.”

He said a Tanzanian man travelling with Mr Iqbal was also arrested and questioned.

Tanzanian officials said Assan Ali Iqbal was being held in connection with bombings in the north of the country. The Foreign Office confirmed the arrest and said it was offering consular assistance. (BBC)

Several people have been arrested on terrorism charges in Tanzania since bombings killed at least eight people in May and June.

Authorities in Tanzania, one of the region’s most stable countries, are concerned at the growth of an Islamist movement accused of indirect links to Somalia’s al Shabaab rebels.

Police said they had verified Ali’s British passport as being authentic. They said the Tanzanian passport he was carrying was a fake. – Reuters