London's Metropolitan police have charged two Iranian men, Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, with terror offenses over an alleged plot to attack the Jewish community in Manchester on the eve of Yom Kippur. The suspects were arrested on September 20 and charged on Friday with "engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts." The charges are the latest in a wave of antisemitic attacks in the UK this year.
According to Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terror Policing, the investigation helped disrupt what is believed to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community. However, authorities do not believe there to be an ongoing threat to the public related to the attempted attack. The charges come a year after a deadly car ramming and stabbing attack outside a Manchester synagogue killed at least two people.
The alleged plot is believed to have involved a third person who may be in Iran, according to authorities. The UK has seen a wave of antisemitic attacks this year, including assaults on synagogues and other communal buildings. In response, the British government announced extra police forces to protect Jewish areas across the country.
Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said the "ongoing and robust" policing plans across Jewish communities would remain in place as authorities work closely with community leaders and British Counter-Terrorism Police. Woods added that the news would be concerning to Jewish communities in Greater Manchester, and beyond, particularly during the Jewish High Holy Days.
The charges come just a day after another Iranian national with dual British citizenship was arrested on suspicion of terror offenses linked to an alleged plot to target a UK airbase used by the US military in Fairford, western England. Authorities have said the airbase incident is not believed to be connected with the latest attempted attack on Manchester's Jewish community.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the investigation into the RAF Fairford incident and the alleged plot to attack Manchester's Jewish community are not connected. However, she emphasized that Counter Terror Policing, working with national security partners, are using the full range of their capabilities to protect the UK from any hostile acts.
The UK Prime Minister had previously stated that there are "strong indications" Iran was involved in the incident at the RAF Fairford airbase, something the Iranian government has denied. The incident has highlighted the wider threats being projected into the UK from Iran, according to Evans.
Key points
- Two Iranian men charged with terror offenses over alleged plot to attack Jewish community in Manchester on Yom Kippur.
- Investigation helped disrupt plot targeting Jewish community, but no ongoing threat to public.
- Charges come amid wave of antisemitic attacks in UK this year.
