UK: Man held more than 2 fire attacks on people leaving mosques
LONDON – British police said on Wednesday that a man arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a man in the central English city of Birmingham has been linked to a similar attack in London last month.
Police arrested a suspect in Birmingham on Tuesday after a man walking home from a mosque was approached and sprayed with an unknown substance. His jacket was on fire and he suffered serious injuries.
The incident followed a similar incident on the evening of February 27 in Ealing, west London, when the suspect doused another victim with petrol before setting him on fire with a lighter. Both men were leaving the West London Islamic Center when the attack took place. The 82-year-old victim was hospitalized with severe burns to his face and arms.
Police said armed forces in the two cities were working closely together to determine the full circumstances of the attacks. The suspect, who has not been named, was suspected of two attempted murders.
Counter-terrorism agents supported the investigation, but police said the officers were “open to possible motivations”.