Tommy Robinson briefly detained at Heathrow under anti-terrorism laws

British anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, claimed he was briefly detained at London's Heathrow Airport under UK counter-terrorism and border security legislation. His mobile phone was also confiscated by authorities before his release.

In a message posted on the social network X, Robinson stated that he was detained for approximately three hours on Saturday evening. He specified that law enforcement had confiscated his phone and appealed to his supporters to fund his legal defense.

This arrest comes amid tensions in Northern Ireland, where several days of racist and anti-immigrant riots have rocked the city of Belfast. The unrest erupted after the release of a video showing the violent attack on a man who lost an eye. A Sudanese national has since been charged with attempted murder.

In the days that followed, groups of rioters targeted homes and businesses belonging to ethnic minorities or foreign residents. British authorities described the violence as racially motivated, while several local officials accused far-right activists on social media of helping to incite or coordinate the unrest.

Without directly naming Tommy Robinson, British police confirmed that a man in his forties was arrested Saturday at Heathrow Airport upon his return from Russia via Turkey. According to authorities, the man was questioned, his communication devices were confiscated, and he was then released without charge.

A controversial figure on the British far right, Tommy Robinson is known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigration stances. Over the years, he has been involved in several legal cases and remains an influential figure within some nationalist movements in the United Kingdom.

The incident risks reigniting the debate on the use of powers granted to British authorities in matters of national security, as well as on the role played by social media in spreading rhetoric that could fuel community tensions.