A man has been apprehended by Scotland Yard on suspicion of "violent disorder" concerning an incident at the Indian High Commission in London that occurred in March of this year.
The Metropolitan Police stated that the arrest was made during a protest outside India House on Monday and is linked to an event that transpired on March 19. The individual has been released on bail, with further investigations ongoing.
A British Sikh gentleman was observed being escorted by police officers during Monday's demonstration, which was convened to call for the UK government's involvement following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of wanted terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has vehemently refuted these allegations as "absurd and motivated."
The Met Police's statement on the matter reads, "On Monday, October 2, a man was arrested outside the Indian High Commission on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to a protest at the same venue on 19 March. The man was taken into custody and has been bailed pending further inquiries."
The individual's identity can only be disclosed once charges are filed. However, it is believed that he is among more than a dozen individuals identified by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as being responsible for the attack on the High Commission of India on March 19. During the incident, pro-Khalistan extremists scaled the building, attempting to remove the Indian national flag, and caused injury to at least one official by hurling objects at the building and shattering windows.
At the time, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi to convey India's "strong protest" over the actions of separatist and extremist elements targeting the High Commission of India in London. In June, the NIA published photographs of suspects they believed were involved in the violent protest as the central agency took over the investigation following meetings between Home Ministry officials and UK representatives in response to the attack.
This recent arrest comes as Police Scotland announced that it found "no criminality" related to the blocking of Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami by pro-Khalistan extremists at a gurdwara in Glasgow last week.
A Police Scotland spokesperson stated, "Following extensive inquiries into a report of a disturbance in the Albert Drive area of Glasgow on Friday, September 29, 2023, no criminality has been established."
During the incident, three individuals intentionally disrupted a planned community visit, with one man attempting to forcefully open the diplomatic vehicle as senior diplomats arrived at Glasgow Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib on Albert Drive.
The Indian High Commission reported the incident as a "disgraceful incident" and informed the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police.
Glasgow Gurdwara issued a statement condemning the "disorderly behavior" of "unknown" and "unruly" individuals who disturbed the peace at a place of worship and attempted to disrupt the envoy's visit, which was facilitated by a member of the Scottish Parliament. The Gurdwara emphasized its commitment to welcoming individuals from all communities and backgrounds in accordance with its faith principles.
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