British police investigating an alleged plot to blow up US-bound airliners are optimistic they will be able to soon charge many of the 23 suspects in custody here, reports said on Sunday.
The newspaper reports come after the British Broadcasting Corp said that detectives have recovered "martyrdom videos" as well as a suitcase containing components needed to make a bomb.
Senior police and government officials told The Sunday Times that more than half of the 23 suspects held over the alleged plot to blow up the trans-Atlantic airliners are expected to be charged with terrorist offences.
Most of the 23 can be held until Wednesday before police have to ask a judge to further extend their detention, police say. Under Britain's anti-terror laws, police can hold them up to 28 days before charging or releasing them. Two people arrested by the police have already been released. The Sunday Times said that police are building a strong case after having uncovered bomb-making equipment, chemicals, a large sum of cash, at least one gun and "significant" documents.
The BBC, quoting unofficial police sources, reported that detectives found on laptops at least half a dozen "martyrdom videos" apparently recorded by some of the suspects as they prepared for suicide attacks. London's Metropolitan Police declined to comment on the report.