Two Iranian men remanded over alleged Manchester Jewish community bomb plot
publishers 29articles 32first reported 2 Oct, 20:15 UTCdeveloping since 3 Oct · 8 editions
Two Iranian men accused of planning a bomb attack against Manchester’s Jewish community were remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, were charged Friday with preparing to commit or assisting another person to commit an act of terrorism. They did not enter pleas and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on October 23.
Prosecutor Mark Luckett told the court that the men allegedly conducted “hostile reconnaissance” and researched possible targets, including Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park synagogue. Prosecutors say they obtained instructions and materials related to making an improvised explosive device using chlorine and brake fluid, as well as images, plans and maps of potential targets.
The men were arrested in Manchester on September 20, around the start of Yom Kippur. Authorities allege they communicated with a third party believed to be an Iranian national operating from Iran who directed and coordinated the plot and supplied bomb-making instructions.
Both defendants arrived in Britain by small boats from mainland Europe, the court heard. Salehi was granted permission to remain in 2023, while Ahmadyan has an outstanding asylum application.
Counterterrorism police said the alleged plot had been disrupted, was believed to be isolated and posed no continuing threat to the public. Police also said it was unrelated to a separate investigation involving RAF Fairford.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 20 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 29
- Source articles
- 32
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 20 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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