Two men appear in court over suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford
Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, both appeared at Westminster Magistrates court charged under the National Security Act 2023
Two British nationals have appeared in court charged over an alleged terror plot at RAF Fairford in September.
Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, both appeared at Westminster Magistrates court today (27 October) charged under the National Security Act 2023.
Abdulkarim, of London, is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service.
While Essghir, also of London, has been charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK, relating to an alleged “reconnaissance” mission on August 22, about a month before the incident near the airbase in Gloucestershire.
Both defendants confirmed their identities in court.
Residents were evacuated and a cordon was put in place after three suspicious vans were spotted near RAF Fairford on September 27.
The court heard a group of men were ordered by a handler known as 'Ali'—believed by police to be working on behalf of the Iran—to drive vans loaded with petrol to RAF Fairford.
After loading the vans, the men allegedly received instructions over the phone to park the vehicles at RAF Fairford and then walk away.
Prosecuting, Louise Gray, said: “Shortly thereafter the message was received that there was a bomb in the vehicles and one of them called the police.”
Police arrived and arrested five men after discovering three white vans, although no explosives were found.
However, metal oil drums containing petrol, hard plastic water butts, and internet-enabled dashcams were found aboard the vehicles.
Abdulkarim is accused of supporting Ali, who is thought to be abroad and to be acting in the interests of the Iranian state.
Prosecutors allege Abdulkarim acquired equipment for the Fairford mission and received around £70,000 in payments from Ali.
Before the men, allegedly enlisted by Abdulkarim, travelled to RAF Fairford, £300 worth of petrol was filled into the drums in the back of the vans.
Essghir, who was also alleged to have known Ali, was arrested near RAF Fairford on 27th September and later re-arrested on 20th October.
The court heard however that his charge is related to the alleged filming of RAF Fairford's perimeter on 22nd August at Ali's request.
RAF Fairford is utilised by the United States Air Force, with heavy bombers arriving there in March after approval for 'defensive operations' in Iran.
A 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national also re-arrested on October 20 on suspicion of aiding Iran’s intelligence service has been released without charge but remains on police bail after being arrested on October 1 on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
Five other men arrested during the investigation are still on police bail.
Abdulkarim, appearing in court in a wheelchair, has been granted bail under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport, while Essghir remains in custody.
Both men are set to appear at the Old Bailey on 20th November.