Two men charged in RAF Fairford plot alleged to have been directed by Iranian-linked handler
British prosecutors say the two suspects were in contact with a man known as “Ali,” who they allege coordinated the plot and may be linked to Iran’s intelligence services.
A Westminster magistrates' court heard that two 24-year-old British men, Nouman Essghir and Mohmed Abdulkarim, were allegedly directed by a contact known only as “Ali” in a suspected terror plot targeting RAF Fairford. Prosecutors said Ali, believed to be working for Iran, communicated with the suspects for several years and coordinated the purchase of mobile phones, five vans, dash-cams and fuel.
Abdulkarim is accused of receiving more than £65,000 in cash, which he used to fund the acquisitions, while Essghir is charged with entering a prohibited area to conduct reconnaissance of the base a month before the September 27 incident in which three vans carrying petrol were discovered.
"On that occasion, five men drove in three vans, got out of their vans and were told to do so by someone giving directions remotely. One of them was told there was a bomb in the van and one of them called 999," prosecutor Louise Gray told the court.
The court granted Abdulkarim conditional bail, imposing an electronic curfew from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and requiring surrender of his passport. Essghir was remanded in custody. Both men are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on November 20.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor of Counter Terror Policing said the investigative decisions, though sometimes appearing “illogical,” were intended to secure stronger evidence and ultimately led to the charges.
Counter Terrorism Policing has indicated that Iran’s intelligence services may be behind the alleged plot and that the suspect known as Ali could also be linked to a prior incident at the Israeli embassy.