Men in court over alleged plot to target Manchester Jewish community

Two Iranian nationals have appeared in court charged with terror offences over an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester.

Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, from Liverpool, were accused at Westminster Magistrates' Court of preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism on or before 20 September.

The pair, who had arrived in the UK by small boat, were arrested in Manchester's Northern Quarter on the eve of Yom Kippur, considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Wearing grey tracksuits in court, they were remanded in custody until 23 October when they will appear at the Old Bailey in London.

As part of the investigation, searches were carried out at addresses in Epworth Street, Liverpool, and Lancaster Road, Salford.

According to Counter Terrorism Police (CTP), the men are accused of obtaining instructions to make a chlorine bomb, acquiring liquids, components and equipment for such a device, researching potential targets and conducting reconnaissance of potential locations for attack.

CTP alleges the two men were in contact with a third party overseas, who may be in Iran, in relation to the plot.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the news that two Iranian men had been charged would be "deeply distressing" to Manchester's Jewish community, as the city marks one year since the Heaton Park Synagogue attack.

She said "the fact both suspects arrived by small boat several years ago" was a reminder of the "importance of work to tackle illegal migration".

"We will be unrelenting in our efforts to protect our Jewish communities, root out antisemitism in this country, and maintain our border security," she added.

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