Men in court over alleged plot to target Manchester Jewish community

Two Iranian nationals have appeared in court facing terrorism charges related to an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester with a homemade bomb. Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, were accused at Westminster Magistrates' Court of preparing to commit an act of terrorism or assisting another to do so on or before September 20. The arrests took place in Manchester's Northern Quarter on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The case has drawn significant attention due to its timing and the nature of the alleged targets.

Quick summary

• Two Iranian men charged with preparing or assisting in a terrorist act in Manchester.
• Allegations include the acquisition of components for a chlorine-based improvised explosive device.
• Targets allegedly included the Jewish Museum and the Heaton Park synagogue.
• Suspects arrived in the UK via small boats; one was granted asylum and the other had a live claim.
• Prosecution alleges the men were directed by a third party believed to be in Iran.
• Authorities confirmed the plot was disrupted and is unrelated to a separate incident at RAF Fairford.

What happened

According to the Metropolitan Police, Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan allegedly obtained instructions to manufacture a chlorine bomb and acquired the liquids and components necessary for an improvised explosive device. The prosecution states that the men carried out 'hostile reconnaissance' on potential targets in Manchester. These targets reportedly included the city's Jewish Museum and the Heaton Park synagogue, where two British Jews, Melvin Kravitz and Adrian Daulby, were killed in an attack during a previous year's Yom Kippur service.

As part of the investigation, police conducted searches at addresses on Epworth Street in Liverpool and Lancaster Road in Salford. During their initial court appearance, the defendants wore grey tracksuits and spoke only through translators to confirm their names, dates of birth, and addresses. The court heard that the suspects are alleged to have been directed by another Iranian individual believed to be located within Iran.

How we got here

The current charges emerge amidst a climate of heightened security and increasing antisemitic incidents across the UK, according to Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans. The case coincides with the anniversary of a devastating attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, where a British citizen of Syrian descent used a knife and gun to kill two people. The sources note the attack occurred on October 2, though the current charges relate to a plot disrupted on or before September 20.

• Previous October 2: Attack at Heaton Park synagogue resulting in two deaths.
• September 20: Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan arrested in Manchester.
• September 20: Date cited in charges for the preparation of the alleged terrorist act.
• October 23: Scheduled appearance for the defendants at the Old Bailey in London.

Who are the involved

The defendants are Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, from Liverpool. According to the Home Office, both men arrived in the UK via small boats from Europe several years ago. One individual had been granted asylum, while the other had a live asylum claim. They are alleged to have been in contact with an overseas third party, potentially in Iran, regarding the plot.

The legal and security response involves the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Metropolitan Police, and counterterrorism officials. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for counterterrorism policing, have provided official statements regarding the security implications and the nature of the threats.

What the parties say

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the charges would be 'deeply distressing' to Manchester's Jewish community. She linked the suspects' arrival by small boat to the 'importance of work to tackle illegal migration' and asserted that the UK faces serious threats from the Iranian regime, which she claims uses proxies and criminal networks to target Jewish communities and silence critics.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans noted that the alleged plot caused great concern during the High Holy day period. She clarified that this investigation is not connected to a separate security incident at RAF Fairford, where a dual UK-Iranian national was arrested. Regarding that separate incident, Iran has denied any involvement, calling such speculation 'Iranophobia propaganda.'

Explainer

Hostile reconnaissance refers to the act of observing a target to gather information for a future attack. An improvised explosive device (IED) is a non-conventional bomb constructed from available materials, such as the chlorine bomb mentioned by police. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The Old Bailey is the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, typically used for the most serious criminal trials. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the main public prosecuting agency in England and Wales, responsible for determining if criminal charges should be brought based on evidence.

What comes next

Salehi and Ahmadyan have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey in London on October 23. Counterterrorism police have confirmed the disruption of the plot, and the investigation into the suspects' contacts in Iran continues. Authorities remain on alert for further threats projected into the UK from overseas actors.