Two Iranian men charged over Manchester Jewish community terror plot

Two Iranian men have been charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot to launch a bomb attack against the Jewish community in Manchester.

Rahman Salehi, 35, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were arrested on 20 September — the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar — in Newton Street, within Manchester's Northern Quarter. They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 3 October.

What are the charges?

The Crown Prosecution Service has charged both men with preparing to commit an act of terrorism, or assisting another to do so.

Counter-terrorism police allege the pair used encrypted messaging apps to buy the liquids, equipment and components needed to assemble a homemade bomb. According to the charges, they also obtained video instructions on how to build an improvised explosive device, researched potential targets online, gathered maps and plans of these sites, and carried out physical reconnaissance.

As part of the fast-moving investigation, officers have searched properties on Epworth Street in Liverpool and Lancaster Road in Salford.

The overseas connection

Police allege the suspects were in contact with an overseas third party who may be located in Iran.

Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation had disrupted what they believe was a live plot. She added that while this case is completely unconnected to a separate incident at RAF Fairford, it does bring "into sharp focus some of the wider threats being projected into the UK from Iran."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the plot was a "stark reminder of the threats posed against this country from both terrorists and foreign state actors."

Mahmood also confirmed that both suspects had arrived in the UK by small boat several years ago, adding that the case highlights the need "to tackle illegal migration into this country."

Impact on Manchester's Jewish community

The timing of the arrests has caused deep distress to local Jewish communities, coming directly after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

It also marks one year since a deadly terror attack at Manchester's Heaton Park Synagogue, where Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed by Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, who was then shot dead by armed police.

Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, sought to reassure the community, stating that public safety remains their highest priority. He reminded the public that proceedings are active and both defendants have the right to a fair trial.