Two 24-year-old British nationals of foreign origin have been charged with plotting to assist the Iranian intelligence service in a planned terrorist attack.
The charges form part of the investigation into the suspected terrorist incident near Fairford Air Base in Gloucestershire, reports The Times. The British handling of this case was not well received in Washington, and the US chose to withdraw its bomber aircraft from the base.
The defendants are Mohmed Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir. Both are resident in London. Abdulkarim is charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, whilst Essghir is charged with entering a prohibited area with an intention to harm the United Kingdom.
The counter-terrorism police confirmed that the foreign intelligence service is believed to be Iranian.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of the UK’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre, said:
“In recent months, we have witnessed a series of incidents which we believe are directed by the Iranian state, and as the Director-General of MI5 said just a few weeks ago, we are working together to intercept, identify and respond to this threat.
The public can help us with this, and as always, I would urge them to report anything that causes them concern – such reports can and will make a difference.”
The two accused men are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Five other men who were arrested during the investigation remain on bail.
