Elements in the security forces are trying to undermine the peace process by alleging republicans were behind a break-in at a Belfast police station, it was claimed today.
Former IRA prisoner Mr Bobby Storey said he suspected the arrests were being used to deflect attention from the real culprits. "I am personally convinced it's a smokescreen. It's smoke and mirrors to deflect attention away from whoever is behind this".
He was among six people arrested on Saturday in connection with the theft of documents from Castlereagh Police Station.
"Whoever is behind it has no interest in the peace process. They have landed it on republicans to further any objective they may have to undermine the peace process. We can't allow that to happen," Mr Storey said.
Police today released three more people including former IRA hunger striker Mr Raymond McCartney, without charge.
Mr Storey, who was also freed on Sunday without charge, rejected any suggestion he could have been one part of the gang which raided the station as "preposterous".
He claimed that during four interviews with detectives, police had produced no evidence of that he was involved in the break-in.