Two Iranian men have been charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot to target Manchester’s Jewish community, after they were arrested on the eve of Yom Kippur.
Rahman Salehi, 35, of Salford, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, from Liverpool, were arrested in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on 20 September. Both were charged on Friday with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
The charge alleges that they prepared to commit an act of terrorism, or assisted another person to do so, on or before 20 September. They were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
The arrests came ahead of Yom Kippur, when thousands of British Jews were in synagogues. The date also coincided with the anniversary of the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester the previous year.
Counter Terrorism Police allege that the men communicated with others through encrypted applications to obtain components for a homemade explosive device. The allegations also include obtaining a document entitled 'steps for making (a) powder chlorine and car brake oil/fluid bomb'.
They are further accused of acquiring video material containing instructions on manufacturing or assembling an improvised explosive device. The charges also allege that they used the internet to identify and research possible targets, obtained images, plans and maps of such locations, and carried out reconnaissance.
Police have not identified the potential targets publicly. The material released so far does not say whether an explosive device was assembled.
Counter Terrorism Police said the men had allegedly been in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in connection with the alleged plot. The identity of that person has not been disclosed.
The arrests took place on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter. The men were then held at a London police station after being arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Officers also searched properties on Epworth Street in Liverpool and Lancaster Road in Salford as part of the investigation.
Salehi and Ahmadyan are Iranian nationals who are thought to have reached the UK by small boat. One arrived in 2020 and was granted asylum. The other arrived in 2023 and has a live asylum claim.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation “has led to the disruption of what we believe to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester”.
Counter Terrorism Police said they did not believe there was any ongoing threat to the public in relation to the case.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the news would be “deeply distressing” for Manchester’s Jewish community. She said the arrests had come “so soon after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur”.
Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said the timing was “particularly acute on the calendar anniversary of last year's terrorist atrocity at the Heaton Park synagogue, and during the Jewish High Holy days”.
Prosecutors described the investigation as fast-paced. The allegations against both men will now be considered by Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where no account from either defendant has been set out in the material released so far.
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