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Two Russian students arrested over suspicion item found at Newcastle university

Police confirmed both men were Russian students studying at Newcastle University

© EPA/ITAR-TASS/KERIM OKTEN

LONDON, June 12 /ITAR-TASS/. Two Russian students were arrested after a “potentially suspicious item” had been found at a university in Newcastle. The incident occurred on Tuesday but was highlighted by the mass media only on Wednesday evening.

The police arrested two 18-year-old men over the incident. Police confirmed both men were Russian students studying at Newcastle University. They remain in custody, according to John Hogan, Registrar at Newcastle University.

One of the two students was detained in London on Tuesday, and the other one was arrested in Newcastle on Wednesday.

No details were provided about the “potentially suspicious item” found at the Newcastle University campus. But after it was found, people were evacuated from the building. Bomb disposals specialists carried out a controlled explosion.

"Police have been searching a Newcastle University building and the building has been evacuated as a precaution so that items can be recovered and examined,” Chief Superintendent Laura Young said. "Residents around Newcastle Town Moor may have heard a slight bang and I would like to reassure them this is in connection with the incident at the university and was planned.

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