Three Lancashire men arrested on suspicion of terror offences are linked to an investigation into threats to kill the Prime Minister, according to reports.
No plot was in place but there were calls for the death of Gordon Brown on an extremist jihad website in January.
The internet hosts many websites from groups and individuals, claiming allegiance to al Qaida and Osama bin Laden and routinely issue warnings and threats to political leaders in the UK and the US over the Wests involvement in the Middle East.
The three suspects, aged 21, 22 and 23, were all arrested on August 14. They are all from Blackburn, Lancashire, and were held under the Terrorism Act 2006.
Two were arrested at Manchester Airport as they were about to board a flight to Finland. The third suspect was arrested in Accrington, Lancashire.
Counter-terrorist officers from Greater Manchester and Lancashire are now in Scandinavia continuing their investigations.
Police have until Thursday to charge the men, release them or seek an extension to their custody.
Detectives have been granted up to next Thursday to hold the three suspects as they carry out investigations.
The swoop came as a culmination of a counter-terrorism operation between Lancashire Police and Greater Manchester Police's Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).
Neighbours described the suspects as "normal everyday lads".
One man who lives in Percival Street, where two of the men lived, said: "You don't expect it on your doorstep but that's life. It could happen anywhere."
He said one of the families had lived in the street for many years and the children had attended Islamic schools.
Lancashire Police have refused to comment, saying the matter was still under investigation.
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