1 day ago
Two Iranians Charged Over Alleged Manchester Jewish Community Plot
Two Iranian men have been charged in Britain over an alleged plan to attack Jewish people and places in Manchester.
Prosecutors say the men watched possible targets, including a museum and a synagogue.
They allege the plan involved making a homemade bomb and that someone overseas gave instructions.
Police said the men had contact with someone who may be in Iran.
The men were arrested in Manchester on September 20.
In court, they did not enter pleas and were kept in custody until another hearing on October 23.
Police said this case is not connected to a separate investigation involving RAF Fairford.
Police also said they did not believe there was an ongoing public threat from this case.
Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan, both Iranian nationals, were charged in Britain with preparing a terrorist act or helping another person commit one.
Prosecutors alleged the plan targeted Jewish sites in Manchester, including the Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park synagogue.
Prosecutors said the men allegedly conducted hostile surveillance and were in contact with a third party believed to be operating from Iran.
The alleged plan involved a homemade explosive device; prosecutors said instructions described making it from chlorine and brake fluid.
The men were arrested in Manchester on September 20; they appeared in court, entered no pleas and were remanded in custody until October 23.
- Who
- Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan, Iranian nationals, were charged.
- What
- They were accused of preparing a terrorist act or assisting another person, in an alleged plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community.
- Where
- The alleged targets were Jewish sites in Manchester; the court hearing was at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
- When
- They were arrested on September 20 and appeared in court on Saturday; their next hearing was set for October 23.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the men were planning an attack on the Jewish community, with direction or coordination from an overseas third party.
Prosecution allegations
Police public-safety statements
Nature of the alleged plot
Prosecution allegations
Prosecutors alleged the men planned an attack on Manchester’s Jewish community, involving surveillance and a homemade explosive device, with help or direction from an overseas third party.
Police public-safety statements
Police confirmed the plot had been disrupted but did not publicly release details in their initial statements.
Risk to the public
Prosecution allegations
The prosecution allegations describe a planned attack on Jewish sites in Manchester.
Police public-safety statements
Police said they did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the public in relation to the case.
Key facts
- Defendants
- Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan, both Iranian nationals
- Reported ages
- Ahmadyan was reported as 36; Salehi was reported as 34 in some accounts and 35 in another
- Charges
- Preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another person to commit one
- Alleged targets
- Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park synagogue, among Jewish sites in Manchester
- Alleged device
- Prosecutors described a homemade explosive device, allegedly to be made using chlorine and brake fluid
- Arrest date
- September 20 in Manchester
- Court status
- The men entered no pleas and were remanded in custody until October 23
- Police assessment
- Police said the case was unrelated to the RAF Fairford investigation and that they did not believe there was an ongoing public threat
Quotes
Shabana Mahmood
UK home minister
“These recent events are a stark reminder of the threats posed against this country from both terrorists and foreign state actors. Two suspects have been charged with planning a terrorist attack against Jewish communities in Manchester. This news will be deeply distressing for our Jewish communities, coming so soon after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I know this will be especially true in Manchester, as we mark one year since the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue.”
firstpost.com
deccanchronicle.com
“While this incident and the investigation into the RAF Fairford incident are not connected in any way, I want to reassure the public that CTP, working with our national security partners, are using the full range of our capabilities to protect the UK from any hostile acts.”
theprint.in
Sources
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