Two Iranian men have been charged in relation to an alleged terror plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community.
Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, have been charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism.
Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism police (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.”
She added: “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.”
The men, both in their 30s, were arrested on 20 September, on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
They were arrested in Newton Street, in the Northern Quarter area of the city centre, before being held in custody at a London police station.
Counter-terrorism police had been given more time to question the men, who were detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “These recent events are a stark reminder of the threats posed against this country from both terrorists and foreign state actors.
“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.”
Salehi and Ahmadyan They are due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on 3 October.
Frank Ferguson, head of 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.
“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.”
The Metropolitan police, who are leading the investigation, said searches had also been carried out at properties on Epworth Street in Liverpool and Lancaster Road in Salford.
At the time of the arrests, Evans said police officers were “doing everything we can to keep them [the Jewish community] and the wider public safe”, while counter-terrorism police and local forces were working together “to provide protective security support and advice for areas with Jewish communities, and particularly during the High Holy Day period”.
Last year, Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by armed police after launching a terror attack during Yom Kippur at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester.
Two men were killed during the attack, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, while three others were injured.
