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LONDON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A serving member of the British armed forces was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of Northern Ireland-related terrorism offences, according to British press.
The arrest came in the wake of the discovery of two arsenals believed to belong to dissident Irish republican factions in forest parks in Northern Ireland, earlier this year.
The 30-year-old suspect, who is reportedly a Royal Marine, was arrested in Somerset in southwestern England.
He was arrested on suspicion of preparation for acts of terrorism in a pre-planned operation as part of an investigation into Northern Ireland-related terrorism, Sky News TV reported. House searches in several areas in Northern Ireland and southwestern England followed.
Two separate caches of weapons were uncovered in Carnfunnock and Capanagh parks near Larne, Northern Ireland in March and May.
A British defense ministry spokesman said: "We are aware of a police investigation involving the arrest of a member of the armed forces under the 2000 Terrorism Act and will assist this investigation fully." Enditem
