The man alleged to be the British Army’s notorious IRA agent Stakeknife has been arrested by police investigating murders and other offences linked to the republican organisation’s internal security unit.
Freddie Scappaticci, 72, from west Belfast, is alleged to have been the most high-ranking British agent within the Provisional IRA.
An investigation into his alleged activities, Operation Kenova, was launched in June 2016 and officers today confirmed they had arrested a 72-year-old man.
A spokesman said today: ‘Officers from Operation Kenova have today arrested a 72-year-old man in connection with the investigation into allegations of murder, kidnap and torture.
Freddie Scappaticci (pictured) is the man alleged to be the British Army’s notorious IRA agent Stakeknife,
‘The man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences which are being investigated by Operation Kenova.
‘He is currently in custody at an undisclosed location and will be interviewed in relation to the investigation.
‘No further details of the place of arrest or where he is being held will be released due to security reasons.
‘Operation Kenova is a complex and wide-ranging investigation which was launched in June 2016 to investigate allegations of murder, kidnap and torture dating back to the 1970s.
‘So far the team has engaged with more than 40 families and processed more than 500,000 pages of information generating 1,500 lines of enquiry.
‘Anyone with any information relating to Operation Kenova can contact the team by calling 01234 858298.’
MORE FOLLOWS.
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.