Two Iranian men are due to appear in court accused of an alleged plot against Manchester's Jewish community. Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, were arrested on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter on September 20.
They were charged, on Friday (October 2), with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 on the eve of Yom Kippur, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said.
Arrests and Charges
Specialist counter terror cops from the Metropolitan Police in London descended on Newton Street before a second swoop at a hostel on Lancaster Road in Salford and a raid on a flat in Liverpool. The defendants, who both arrived in the UK via small boat several years ago, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday (October 3).
An earlier CPS 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."
Charges in full
"Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit at act of terrorism on or before 20 September 2026." It is said allaged that Mr Salehi and Mr Ahmadyan, 'on or before September 20 2026, with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, or assisting another to commit such acts, engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention'.
This includes communicating with others using encrypted applications to acquire components to assemble a homemade explosive device; acquiring a document entitled 'steps for making (a) powder chlorine and car brake oil/fluid bomb'; acquiring video material containing instructions on how to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device; acquiring liquids, components and equipment required in order to manufacture or assembling an improvised explosive device; using the internet to identify and research potential targets for attack; acquiring images, plans and maps of potential targets for attack; and conducting reconnaissance of potential locations for attack.
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.
Official Responses
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said both men arrived by small boat several years ago. It is understood they came here in 2020 and 2023, with one granted asylum. The other has a live asylum claim, it is understood.
Ms Mahmood said: "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. 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."
"It would be inappropriate to comment further on this case. But I can say that we will be unrelenting in our efforts to protect our Jewish communities, root out antisemitism in this country, and maintain our border security. It is no secret that this country faces a range of serious threats from the Iranian regime. They target our Jewish communities and try to silence their critics overseas, often through proxies and criminal networks to hide their involvement."
"The Prime Minister has been clear there are strong indications of Iran’s involvement in the events near RAF Fairford. We are responding to these threats with new powers and record funding to disrupt hostile activity. I’m grateful to our police and intelligence agencies for the exceptional work they do every day to keep us safe."
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."
Extremely serious charges and allegations
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), said: "These are extremely serious charges and allegations, and have come about from a joint CTP investigation, working closely with our partners in the security services. This investigation has led to the disruption of what we believe to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester. I would like to reiterate that we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as always, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns."
"I'm aware that the news of this alleged plot coming during the High Holy day period has caused a great deal of concern to the Jewish community, as well as with the wider public. It also coincides with the anniversary of the devastating terrorist attack last year at Heaton Park synagogue and comes in a wider context of increasing antisemitic incidents across the UK, so we are very aware that this will likely increase what were already heightened concerns amongst the Jewish community."
"This week also brought into sharp focus some of the wider threats being projected into the UK from Iran. 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."
"I hope that our actions in this case show that CTP are working proactively and that we will act swiftly whenever we suspect there to be a threat to the public in order to keep them safe. CTP has been supported by colleagues in the North West, Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police during this investigation and we continue to work with those colleagues as some enquiries continue. CTP is also working closely with police forces across the country to provide specialist protective security advice and support for areas with Jewish communities to help keep them safe."
"Finally, I would like to thank the public – particularly those in affected areas in Manchester and Liverpool - for their support while this investigation has been ongoing. As ever, I urge the public to remain vigilant and if they have any concerns then do not hesitate to act, and contact police."
Shock, alarm and concern
Terry Woods, Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, added: "We know how concerning this news will be to Jewish communities in Greater Manchester, and beyond. We know this is particularly acute on the calendar anniversary of last year's terrorist atrocity at the Heaton Park synagogue, and during the Jewish High Holy Days."
"We continue to work hand in glove locally with community leaders, the Community Security Trust, and our local policing teams, and nationally with Counter Terrorism Police London which have been leading this investigation."
"Our ongoing and robust policing plans within the Jewish communities will endure, and the public can expect to see continued visibility with officers providing engagement and security."
Bev Craig, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "The charging of two men following the Counter Terror investigation into an alleged plot to target our Jewish community will cause shock, alarm and concern within the community and across Greater Manchester. This is another chilling reminder of the real and sustained threats facing our Jewish communities."
"I thank Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and their Merseyside counterparts, Counter Terrorism Policing and the security services for their actions. I remain in close contact with GMP and officers will continue to work closely with community leaders and the Community Security Trust. Visible GMP patrols will provide security and reassurance to help keep our Jewish communities safe."
"This news comes as our Jewish friends and neighbours are celebrating the Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah holidays, and remembering the evil antisemitic terrorist attack that took place at Heaton Park synagogue exactly 12 months ago. As Mayor, I will continue to do everything within my power to keep people safe and to challenge hatred. The Deputy Mayor and I are actively engaging with the Home Office and will be speaking to Ministers about wider action to stamp out the poison of antisemitism in our city region."
Counter Terrorism Policing do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public related to this alleged plot. But we urge all residents to remain vigilant and to come together to show that hate will never win. In Greater Manchester we are at our best when our communities look out for each other and stand together.
