A 21-year-old Facebook user has been arrested in the UK after praising the Paris terror attacks and warning that Manchester could be targeted next.
While most social media users expressed their solidarity with the French people following the ISIS attacks which left at least 129 people dead, one man from Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England, had some very different ideas. He posted the message on Sunday afternoon and it remained online for around 45 minutes before other users alerted the police and it was taken down, writes Amanda Williams for Mail Online.
Facebook rant leads to arrest of man in England
The man was arrested on Monday morning and is still being held by police on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
His post read: “My brothers did well in Paris. Now we have proved that there’s a bit of intelligence, planning and synchronization going into our killings. You people are starting to realize that we are a force to be reckoned with. WE ARE ISIS, THIS IS OUR TIME NOW. ‘Keep your eyes on Manchester, AALUUACKHBAAR! Rip jihadi john.”
Fellow Facebook users criticized the rant and police were alerted. It is thought that the man involved was born in the UK.
Online outrage following senseless post
A number of users expressed their disgust in the comments under the post. “Whoever has written this really does want to be ashamed of themselves,” said one, while another person added: “This is just disgusting and disrespectful. How could you be so twisted?”
At least 129 people were killed by terrorists during coordinated attacks in the French capital on Friday night. The terror group ISIS has said that it was responsible for the attacks, and has promised to attack other Western cities.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said “A 21-year-old male from Todmorden has been arrested today for publishing material intending to incite racial hatred. This follows a Facebook post supporting Islamic State. West Yorkshire Police take this behavior seriously, especially in light of the recent events in Paris. The male remains in custody whilst police investigate the offence.”
While it seems unlikely that an ISIS supporter would reveal a plot to attack a major UK city on his personal Facebook, the group has released a video threatening to attack the U.S. capital, Washington D.C.
Security forces around the world are surely on high alert following the attacks in Paris, and it must be hoped that they can shut down any other planned attacks before they happen.
