Five in court on terrorism charges

Five people will appear in court today in connection with alleged terrorism offences and conspiracy to murder.

Four men, aged 26, 30, 34 and 39, and a woman aged 27 were arrested at several locations last Wednesday in an operation led by Police Scotland and involving the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the security service.

Police Scotland said the operation focused on the "activities of individuals sympathetic to dissident Republicanism but who are not affiliated to any specific group".

The five people have been charged under section five of the Terrorism Act, which covers the preparation of terrorist acts, and alleged conspiracy to murder, a force spokeswoman said.

They have been held at the Scottish Terrorist Detention Centre in Govan, Glasgow, and t wo days after the arrests last week, police were granted an extended detention period under the Terrorism Act.

The four men and one woman are due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court later.