Two Iranian men have appeared in court accused of terrorism offences following an alleged bomb plot to target Manchester's Jewish community. Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, appeared at the Old Bailey in London on October 23.
The pair, who arrived in the UK by small boat, are accused of trying to acquire components to assemble a homemade explosive device. Prosecutors allege that the men were engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism against the Jewish community in Greater Manchester.
Alleged Targets and Arrest
The Jewish Museum and Heaton Park Synagogue were allegedly targets identified by the defendants. They were arrested on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter on September 20, as thousands of British Jews prepared to celebrate the annual occasion.
It is alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot, Counter Terrorism Policing said previously.
Court Hearing Details
The defendants appeared in court by video link. They were not asked to enter pleas to the charges they face during the 22-minute hearing, which was presided over by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb. They only spoke to confirm their name and date of birth.
Both men have been charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism on or before September 20, 2026.
Alleged Activities
According to court documents, it is alleged that Salehi and Ahmadyan communicated with others using encrypted applications to acquire components to assemble a homemade explosive device, acquired a document entitled 'Steps for Making [a] Powder Chlorine and Car Brake Oil/Fluid Bomb', and acquired video material containing instructions on how to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device.
They are also alleged to have acquired liquids, components and equipment required in order to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device, used the internet to identify and research potential targets for attack, acquired images, plans and maps of potential targets, and conducted reconnaissance of potential locations for attack.
Arrests and Previous Hearing
After their arrests, raids were carried out at Ahmadyan's address on Epworth Street, Liverpool, and at Salehi's address on Lancaster Road, Salford. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously said that both men arrived in the country by small boat several years ago. It is understood the two men arrived via small boat in 2020 and 2023, with one granted asylum, while the other has a live asylum claim.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a trial for June 18 next year, to be heard at Manchester Crown Court. It is expected to last for up to five weeks. The case will be next heard on April 16 at the same court. The judge remanded the defendants in custody.
Both men were charged by police on October 2, on what was the first anniversary of last year's Manchester Heaton Park Synagogue attack, in which two men - Melvin Cravitz, 66, and 53-year-old Adrian Daulby - were killed and three others were injured. The charging decision came 12 days after Salehi and Ahmadyan were arrested by officers before being driven approximately 200 miles to a police station in London in order to be quizzed by specialist anti-terror cops.
