British woman held in London for alleged terror offense while trying to fly to Istanbul

ISTANBUL

The 26-year-old was carrying 'a large quantity of cash' as she attempted to board an Istanbul-bound plane at London’s Heathrow airport, Met Police said. REUTERS photo

A British citizen has been arrested at London’s Heathrow airport on suspicion of terror offenses while trying to board a flight to Istanbul, daily Telegraph reported Jan. 16.

The 26-year-old was carrying “a large quantity of cash” as she was stopped by counter-terrorism police, the report said. She was on her way to board a plane to Istanbul scheduled at 9:20 a.m.

According to the report, an investigation is ongoing to determine whether she is linked to jihadist fighting in Syria and the money was destined for those groups. 

A second woman has also been arrested at a residential address in north London a few hours later.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman told daily Telegraph the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation and were in response to an immediate threat or risk.

The report says it would be the first time for British women to be arrested in connection with the Syrian conflict, if the jihadist link were to be confirmed.