Two men have been charged with preparing acts of terrorism in connection with an alleged threat against the Jewish community in Greater Manchester.
Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, are due in court tomorrow (October 3). The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the pair, who are reportedly Iranian nationals, are accused of engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism in Greater Manchester on the eve of Yom Kippur.
Arrests and raids
Specialist counter terror officers from the Metropolitan Police in London descended on Newton Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter on September 20 and arrested two men. It was followed by a second swoop at a hostel on Lancaster Road in Salford and a raid on a flat in Liverpool.
The charges were announced tonight (October 2) in a statement by the CPS. The defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
CPS statement
The statement read: "The Crown Prosecution Service has announced two men have been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism in Greater Manchester on the eve of Yom Kippur."
"Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism on or before 20 September 2026."
Prosecutor's comments
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "We have decided to prosecute Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan following a fast-paced Counter Terrorism Policing investigation in Greater Manchester in September targeting the Jewish community."
"Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and we remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendants in this case are active and they have the right to a fair trial."
"It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
"We understand that this case may cause concern, particularly considering the arrests came on the eve of Yom Kippur. We want to assure the Jewish community that working with the police, their safety and that of the wider public is our highest priority."
