Two men arrested in England over Texas synagogue stand-off
Audio footage appeared to show attempts by hostage-taker Malik Faisal Akram’s younger brother to persuade him to surrender.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two men have been arrested in Birmingham and Manchester as part of the investigation into the Texas synagogue attack by British hostage-taker Malik Faisal Akram.
Akram, 44, originally from Blackburn in Lancashire, was shot dead when the FBI entered the building in Texas on January 15 following a 10-hour stand-off.
Announcing the latest development, Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers from Counter-Terror Policing (CTP) North West continue to support US authorities with their investigation into the events in Texas.
“As a result of this ongoing investigation, two men have been arrested this morning in Birmingham and Manchester.
“They remain in custody for questioning.
“CTP North West officers continue to liaise with and support colleagues from other forces.
“Communities defeat terrorism and the help and support we get from the public is a vital part of that.
“So, we would urge everyone to remain vigilant, and if you do see anything suspicious then please report it, in confidence, to police via the anti-terrorist hotline or gov.uk/ACT
“It won’t ruin lives but it may well save them.”
Two teenagers arrested in Manchester following the incident were released without charge on Tuesday.
Just pack it in, you’ll get a bit of time and you’ll come out
The hostages were released unharmed while US President Joe Biden branded the incident “an act of terror”.
Audio footage appeared to show a tense final conversation between Akram and his younger brother Gulbar, in which the armed 44-year-old was urged to surrender by his sibling.
The recording, obtained by the Jewish Chronicle from a security source, features Gulbar pleading with his brother to stop.
He said: “Why are you doing that, man? What you doing that for, you know? What’s wrong with you?”
Akram’s replies include his request to die a martyr, as well as some expletive-laden and rambling attempts to justify his actions.
Gulbar, still trying to reason with the hostage-taker, said: “Why have you come to die for? Why though?
“Come on, man.
“You don’t need to do this, whatever you’re doing, man.
“Just pack it in, you’ll get a bit of time and you’ll come out.
“Think about your kids, man, these guys are innocent – these guys you’ve got there are innocent people, man.”
Akram was investigated by MI5 in 2020 but deemed not to be a credible threat to national security at the time, official sources confirmed to the PA news agency.
It is not yet clear how Akram, who had a criminal record in the UK, was able to travel to the US two weeks ago. US officials believe Akram had a visa, arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and bought the handgun used in the incident.
According to reports, he stayed at a homeless shelter and is believed to have bought a gun on the street before taking four people hostage at the synagogue, one of whom was released after around six hours.