An Iranian man living in Liverpool has appeared in court charged with terror offences over an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester.
Salam Ahmadyan, 36, from Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, are accused of preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism on or before 20 September.
Alleged targets identified
The men, who arrived illegally in the UK on small boats, identified a Manchester synagogue previously subjected to a fatal terrorist attack as a target for an alleged homemade bomb plot, a court has heard.
Prosecutors allege that Ahmadyan and Salehi conducted “hostile reconnaissance” at Heaton Park Synagogue in north Manchester along with the Jewish Museum in Cheetham Hill.
They were arrested in Manchester on September 20 and charged on Friday with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said.
Alleged Iranian coordination
It is also alleged they were in contact with an Iranian national who “directed and coordinated the planned attack”, with the third party “most likely operating within Iran.”
Both men appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning where Salehi, through a Kurdish interpreter, and Ahmadyan, through a Farsi interpreter, spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth, and addresses.
District Judge Nina Tempia remanded both men into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey for a hearing on October 23.
Prosecution details
Prosecutor Mark Luckett told the court: “Both defendants are accused of preparing acts of terrorism targeting the Jewish community in Manchester through the use of a homemade explosive device.
“The defendants were observed carrying out, what the prosecution say, is a hostile reconnaissance within Manchester’s Jewish community, identifying attempted targets such as the Jewish Museum and Heaton Park Synagogue.”
The men are accused of getting instructions to make a chlorine bomb and acquiring liquids, components and equipment required in order to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device.
They are also accused of using the internet to identify and research potential targets, acquiring images, plans and maps of potential targets and conducting reconnaissance of potential locations for attack.
As part of the investigation, searches at addresses in Epworth Street, Liverpool, and Lancaster Road, Salford, were carried out.
Home Secretary response
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “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.
“The fact both suspects arrived by small boat several years ago is a reminder of the importance of our relentless work to tackle illegal migration into this country.
“While numbers are down, I know there is more we must do.”
