Chiswick Park business park in west London
(Picture: Google Maps)A man has been charged with a terrorism offence after being arrested at a west London business park.
Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, a 30-year-old Austrian national, was arrested at Chiswick Park on Saturday by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
In the early hours of Monday, he was charged with “collecting information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.
Extra security measures were introduced at Chiswick Park late last year, after threats were reportedly made against staff at Persian language TV station Iran International, which has its headquarters at the site.
Iran International said in an article it “was warned by authorities in November that its journalists were under threat from Iranian agents and the Metropolitan Police took measures to strengthen security around the network’s office in the area”.
Concrete anti-terror bollards and metal fences are understood to have been erected at the business park, just off Chiswick High Road.
Dovtaev appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, and was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on March 3.
Commander Richard Smith, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We are aware that an arrest of this nature in this particular area, and the subsequent charge against this person may cause some concern amongst the local community and those who work in the area.
“With criminal proceedings now active we are unable to comment any further on this particular case. However, detectives worked quickly to gather evidence that has led to this particular charge, and officers will continue to work to support the prosecution.
“Those who work in and around the Chiswick Business Park are likely to be aware that we introduced enhanced security measures in that particular area late last year.
“We continue to work closely with those affected by any threats to ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support.
“We have also put in place a number of protective security measures to mitigate against these threats, but we would ask people to continue to stay alert, but not be alarmed. As always, the public should stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to police right away.”
