Two Iranian nationals who arrived in the UK on small boats have appeared in court accused of targeting the Manchester Jewish Museum and Heaton Park synagogue in an alleged bomb plot.
Salam Ahmadyan, 36, and Rahman Salehi, 34, are alleged to have planned a terror attack on the instructions of a foreign actor believed to have been operating out of Iran.
They are accused of carrying out hostile reconnaissance of key Jewish locations in Manchester on 20 September, the first day of Yom Kippur – widely considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
The alleged targets included the Manchester Jewish Museum and the Heaton Park synagogue, where Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed in a terror attack by Jihad al Shamie, 35, on October 2 last year.
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Court artist drawing of Salam Ahmadyan (left) and Rahman Salehi. Pic: Elizabeth Cook/PA
Prosecutors say Ahmadyan and Salehi were sent instructions on how to make an improvised explosive device out of chlorine and brake fluid.
Ahmadyan, who lives in Liverpool, and Salehi, of Salford, appeared in the dock of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning charged with an offence under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Ahmadyan, using a Farsi interpreter, and Salehi, using a Kurdish interpreter, spoke to confirm their identities and addresses, but were not asked to enter pleas to the charge.
District Judge Nina Tempia remanded them in custody ahead of their next appearance at the Old Bailey on 23 October.
Prosecutor Mark Luckett told the court both defendants arrived in the UK by small boat.
Salehi was granted asylum in 2023 after arriving in 2020, while Ahmadyan has an outstanding asylum claim after coming to the UK in 2023.
“They were in contact with a third party who is alleged to have directed and coordinated the planned attack and provided instructions on how to assemble a home-made explosive device,” Mr Luckett said.
“It is assessed this individual is also an Iranian national and most likely operating from within Iran.”
The pair were arrested by counter terrorism police on 20 September before being charged on Friday.
The charge alleges the defendants communicated with others using encrypted apps to get components to assemble the homemade explosive device.
They are also accused of getting hold of a document entitled “steps for making a powder chlorine and car brake oil/fluid bomb” and video material containing instructions on “how to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device”.
The pair allegedly acquired “liquids, components and equipment required to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device”, according to the charge.
It also alleges they used “the internet to identify and research potential targets for attack, acquired images, plans and maps of potential targets for attack and conducted reconnaissance of potential locations for attack”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Two suspects have been charged with planning a terrorist attack against Jewish communities in Manchester.
“This news will be deeply distressing for our Jewish communities, coming so soon after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
“I know this will be especially true in Manchester, as we mark one year since the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue.”
As part of the investigation, searches at homes in Liverpool and Salford were carried out, police said.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), said: “These are extremely serious charges and allegations.
“This investigation has led to the disruption of what we believe to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester.
“I would like to reiterate that we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as always, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns.”