FRIENDS and relatives of some of the men arrested in Tuesday's anti-terrorism raids have spoken of their certainty of the men's innocence.

Businessman Mousa Mohamad, of Stockton Road, and take-away workers Ibrahim Rachid, of Northgate, and Salah Famtazi, of Gladstone Street, all Darlington, were among the six men arrested across the town and on Teesside.

Mr Mohamad, who studied A-levels in science and maths at Darlington College of Technology from 1975, went on to get a degree in electronics at Sunderland Polytechnic before starting out in the restaurant business.

The father-of-five is believed to own a kebab shop in Yarm Road, Darlington, and rent out several properties in the town.

A brother, Mohammed Mohamad, from Redcar, whose take-away shop in the east Cleveland town was raided as part of Operation Icebolt, said: "I am concerned for my brother's children because they are only young. They are being very brave.

"The police have made a mistake. It is nothing to do with him."

A former Darlington College lecturer and family friend of Mousa Mohamad, who asked not to be named, said: "Mousa is a highly-educated and sensible guy. He was an excellent lad.

"I still know him very well. He is a family man. He is a totally non-violent person.

"He has never been involved in any aggression or terrorism."

Taxi driver Simon Claydon, who worked with Ibrahim Rachid at Pizza Box, Northgate, for two years, said: "He is a wonderful bloke and is devoted to his family."

Mazin Albarq, who knows all three and has been a friend of Mr Mohamad since arriving in Darlington in 1976, said: "He's a good intelligent lad, Mousa, he's a nice man."

Mr Albarq said he feared the long-term effects of the arrests on the three men - who are said to be friends - even if they were found to be innocent.

"This can destroy lives, this can remain in the lives of the neighbours, the associates for ever. He will always be under suspicion," he said.

He said of Mr Rachid, who is married with a young daughter: "He's a nice person and a very smart person."

Friends of Salah Famtazi, an Algerian who also worked at Pizza Box, said he had given up a foundation study course at the University of Teesside because of language difficulties.

Mr Albarq, a chemical engineering student, added: "I think in the end the truth will prevail. Mousa, Ibrahim and Salah will be walking free in the street tomorrow."

He said attitudes had changed towards all people from the Middle East because of a "build-up of hatred" since September 11.