Man from south Wales, 58, charged under terror laws

A 58-year-old man from south Wales is to appear in court charged with soliciting murder and offences under the Terrorism Act, say police.

He was arrested in Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, last week and taken to west Yorkshire for questioning.

He also faces a charge of using threatening abusive or insulting words likely to stir up racial hatred.

Another man, 42, from Leigh, Greater Manchester is also charged. They are to appear in court at Westminster later.

The 58-year-old man is also charged with possession of records containing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and disseminating a terrorist publication contrary to Section 2 under the Terrorism Act 2006.

In a joint statement, the North East Counter Terrorism Unit and South Wales Police said the arrests were not linked to international terrorism.

The statement said: "We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this enquiry and our officers are in regular contact with the local community to keep them as informed as possible with the investigation.

"We would like to thank local residents for their patience, support and understanding."