OMM Redaksiyası
Two Iranian men have been charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot to attack Manchester’s Jewish community on the eve of Yom Kippur, according to London’s Metropolitan Police.
The suspects were identified as Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford. They were arrested on September 20 and charged on Friday with “engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts,” police said.
Police say alleged plot was disrupted
Authorities said the men were allegedly in contact with a third person who may be in Iran in connection with the suspected plot.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terror Policing, said the investigation was conducted jointly with security service partners. She said officers believe they disrupted a plot targeting the Jewish community and do not consider there to be an ongoing public threat related to it.
Separate investigation into RAF Fairford incident
The charges come a year after a car-ramming and stabbing attack outside a Manchester synagogue killed at least two people. They also follow the arrest of a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to an alleged plan to target RAF Fairford, an airbase in western England used by the US military.
The man was arrested in Westminster, London. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran was involved in the Fairford incident; the Iranian government has denied this. Authorities say the Fairford investigation is not connected to the alleged Manchester plot.
Evans said the two investigations were “not connected in any way” and that counter-terrorism officers and national security partners were using their capabilities to protect the UK from hostile acts.
Security measures remain in place
The UK has seen a series of antisemitic attacks this year, including assaults on synagogues and other communal buildings. The government has announced additional police deployments to protect Jewish communities across the country.
Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said the news would be concerning for Jewish communities in Greater Manchester and beyond, particularly around the anniversary of last year’s attack and during the Jewish High Holy Days.
Woods said policing plans across Jewish communities would remain in place as authorities continued working with community leaders and counter-terrorism police.
