British police charge three under terrorism laws

LONDON, Feb 9 (Reuters) Three men have been charged under anti-terrorism laws after a series of police raids in the central English city of Birmingham last week, British police said today.

A fourth man was released without charge, while three other men were still being held for questioning, police said in a statement.

A 36-year-old man from Birmingham was due to appear in court later today. The other two men who were charged were aged 30 and 43. They were also from Birmingham.

Police said they would hold a joint news conference with the Crown Prosecution Service later today.

Detectives investigating a suspected plot to kidnap and kill a British Muslim soldier arrested nine men in raids on Wednesday last week. Two of the other men were released without charge earlier this week.

REUTERS DKS BST0728