Two Iranian Men Charged Over Plot Targeting UK Jewish Community
Iranian Nationals Face Terrorism Charges Over Alleged Manchester Plot
Theindiapostdaily.com – Two Iranian nationals have been charged with terrorism offences after an investigation into an alleged plan aimed at Manchester’s Jewish community, adding to renewed concerns about security threats linked to Iran in the United Kingdom.
Metropolitan Police identified the defendants as Salam Ahmadyan, 36, who lives in Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford. Both men were detained in Manchester on September 20 on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. They have since been remanded in custody and are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
The case comes during a period of heightened tension between Britain and Iran following a separate security investigation near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Police have stressed, however, that the Manchester allegations and the RAF Fairford inquiry are separate matters.
Alleged overseas contact
Investigators allege that Ahmadyan and Salehi communicated with a third party outside the UK in connection with the alleged plot. That individual may be in Iran, police said. The accusation forms a central part of the terrorism case now before the courts.
“It is alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot,” the Met said.
A criminal charge is an allegation rather than a finding of guilt. The court process will determine whether prosecutors can prove the case against the two men. At this stage, the public information released by police centres on the alleged preparations and the claimed overseas connection.
The investigation has particular resonance in Manchester, where Jewish residents and institutions have faced heightened concern following a deadly attack at Heaton Park Synagogue one year earlier. Two people were fatally stabbed on Yom Kippur in that incident.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood referred to that anniversary while addressing the latest charges, saying the new case would be felt especially strongly in the city. Her comments placed the alleged Manchester plot within a broader concern about threats from both terrorist groups and foreign state actors.
“Recent events are a stark reminder of the threats posed against this country from both terrorists and foreign state actors.”
Separate inquiry at RAF Fairford
Less than a week before the charges involving Ahmadyan and Salehi were announced, five men were arrested near RAF Fairford. The Gloucestershire base has previously been used to launch US strikes on Iran. Those five individuals were later released on bail, while police subsequently arrested a British-Iranian dual national in the same wider investigation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier in the week that there were “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the RAF Fairford matter. Iran’s embassy in London rejected that assertion.
Counter Terrorism Policing’s senior national coordinator, Vicki Evans, said the events had highlighted concerns over threats being projected into Britain from Iran. She nevertheless drew a clear distinction between the investigations.
“The week had brought into sharp focus some of the wider threats being projected into the UK from Iran.”
Evans said the suspected Manchester plot and the RAF Fairford case were not connected. That distinction is significant because the two investigations involve different locations, circumstances and alleged activity, despite emerging during the same week.
Migration and asylum details
The Home Office said the two defendants arrived in Britain by small boat, one in 2020 and the other in 2023. One man was granted asylum, while the other has an asylum application that remains active.
Mahmood used those details to renew the government’s emphasis on stopping illegal migration. Her statement linked the case to the wider challenge of securing the border while immigration and asylum cases are being considered.
“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,” Mahmood said.
The asylum status of either defendant does not determine the outcome of the criminal proceedings. The terrorism charges will be dealt with through the criminal justice system, while immigration matters follow their own legal and administrative processes.
Security concerns for Jewish communities
The allegations have also renewed attention on the protection of Jewish communities, particularly in major cities with synagogues, schools, businesses and community organisations that may require security planning. Police disclosures in terrorism investigations can affect public confidence even before any trial takes place, making clarity about risk and official advice important.
Authorities have not publicly described detailed operational elements of the alleged Manchester plan. Such information is often restricted while an investigation and court proceedings are under way, both to protect the integrity of the case and to avoid disclosing information that could create additional security concerns.
For now, the case remains at an early judicial stage. Ahmadyan and Salehi are in custody ahead of their scheduled appearance, while counter-terrorism officers continue to address the wider security environment highlighted by the separate RAF Fairford inquiry.
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