Two men wanted by Merseyside police over the racist killing of black teenager Anthony Walker have been arrested on suspicion of murder at Liverpool airport, police said today.
"Merseyside police can confirm that two men from Huyton, aged 20 years and 17 years, have been arrested at Liverpool's John Lennon airport on suspicion of the murder," a spokeswoman said.
Police had said they wanted to speak to Michael Barton, 17, and Paul Taylor, 20, over the murder which shocked the local community and evoked memories of the 1993 high-profile racist killing of Stephen Lawrence.
Police said the two men would be taken to a local station for questioning.
Media had previously reported the two men had left the country and the police said earlier today they had arranged for them to be returned to Britain with a solicitor.
Police have also bailed four other men over the death.
Barton is the younger brother of Manchester City footballer Joey. The premier league player made a televised appeal for his brother to turn himself into police yesterday.
All those arrested or wanted over the case are from the Huyton area in Merseyside where Walker was beaten to death with an axe by a gang on Friday evening.
He was killed just minutes after he had been taunted with racist abuse while standing at a bus stop with his white girlfriend.
The murder inquiry has received high media coverage and over 1,000 people turned out to a vigil on Tuesday evening in Liverpool city centre to remember Walker and protest against racism.