Two Iranian nationals have been charged in Britain with allegedly preparing a terrorist bombing against Manchester’s Jewish community, with prosecutors accusing them of obtaining bomb-making instructions and materials, scouting Jewish sites and communicating with a third person believed to be operating from Iran.

Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another person in committing an act of terrorism on or before September 20. Both men were arrested by British counterterrorism police last month and are now being held in custody pending further court proceedings.

Prosecutors allege that the men were planning to use a homemade explosive device against Jewish targets in Manchester. The locations allegedly researched included the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue and the Manchester Jewish Museum in nearby Cheetham Hill.

The case has taken on added significance because prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that Salehi and Ahmadyan were allegedly communicating with a third individual believed to be an Iranian national operating from inside Iran. That person is accused of directing and coordinating elements of the plot and providing the defendants with instructions for constructing a homemade bomb.

The alleged instructions included a document detailing how to create an explosive device using powdered chlorine and automotive brake fluid. Prosecutors say the suspects also obtained video material explaining how to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device.

The men are further accused of acquiring liquids, components and other equipment that could be used to construct the device, as well as using encrypted messaging applications while making preparations for the alleged attack.

British prosecutors say the preparations extended beyond obtaining bomb-making information. Salehi and Ahmadyan allegedly researched possible targets online, obtained photographs, maps and plans of locations under consideration and physically conducted what prosecutors described as hostile reconnaissance in Manchester’s Jewish community.

Among the sites allegedly surveilled was Heaton Park Synagogue, the same shul that was the scene of a deadly terrorist attack on Yom Kippur last year. In that attack, terrorist Jihad al-Shamie rammed a vehicle into the synagogue gates and launched a stabbing attack while wearing what appeared to be a suicide belt. Two members of the congregation, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, were killed, and three other people were seriously wounded.

The latest alleged plot was uncovered as Manchester’s Jewish community approached the anniversary of that attack, further heightening concern among local Jews already living with increased security around shuls and other Jewish institutions.

Both defendants entered Britain illegally aboard small boats crossing the English Channel, according to information presented in court. Salehi arrived in Britain in 2020 after previously spending approximately five years in Germany, where he had also sought asylum.

Salehi was subsequently granted asylum in Britain in 2023. Ahmadyan arrived by small boat in 2023 and still has an outstanding asylum application.

The details of their immigration histories have fueled a broader debate in Britain over illegal migration and security screening, particularly because the charges allege that two individuals who entered the country illegally later became involved in preparations for a terrorist attack against British Jews.

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood addressed that issue while responding to the charges.

“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.”

Referring to the fact that both suspects entered Britain by small boat, Mahmood said it “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.”

Police carried out searches at addresses in Liverpool and Salford as part of the investigation. Counterterrorism investigators are continuing to examine the defendants’ alleged communications, the materials recovered during the investigation and their suspected relationship with the individual believed to be in Iran.

At their appearance before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Salehi spoke through a Kurdish interpreter and Ahmadyan through a Farsi interpreter. Neither man entered a plea. District Judge Nina Tempia ordered both held in custody until their next scheduled appearance at the Old Bailey on October 23.

The Crown Prosecution Service emphasized that the charges remain allegations and that the defendants are entitled to a fair trial.

British counterterrorism officials say the alleged plot has been disrupted and that they do not currently believe there is an ongoing danger to the public connected to the case.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said authorities are treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness and stressed that the Manchester case is separate from the investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford, the British air base used by U.S. bombers.

“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 [counter-terrorism police] working with our national security partners, are using the full range of our capabilities to protect the U.K. from any hostile acts,” her statement continued.

The RAF Fairford investigation began after five men were arrested near the installation amid suspicions of another possible attack. The two cases are not believed to be connected, despite both unfolding amid heightened British concern over terrorism and possible hostile activity linked to Iran.

{Matzav.com}