Two men have appeared in court today in connection with an alleged Iran-linked plot at RAF Fairford in September.
Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, from London, was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, which counter terror police suspected to be connected to the Islamic Republic.
Nouman Essghir, 24, from London, was also charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK on August 22, several weeks before the incident at the RAF base took place.
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Essghir was seen in the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt as he confirmed his name and address.
Abdulkarim appeared in court in a wheelchair, wearing a shirt, jeans and a baseball cap to confirm his name and address.
Both of the accused were charged under the National Security Act, with Essghir remanded in custody until the case is heard on November 20 at the Old Bailey.
Abdulkarim was granted bail, with authorities imposing conditions to be released – including surrendering his passport.
Essghir was one of the first five individuals arrested near the base, who were detained on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act.
They were later detained on suspicion of preparation of a terror act. The five went on to be released on bail, raising eyebrows from Donald Trump over police procedure.
Essghir was re-arrested on October 20, along with a UK-Iranian national who has since been released without charge.
The re-arrests, Counter Terror Policing explained, led officers to questioning Abdulkarim.
Defending the previous decision to release other suspects on bail, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said his team’s investigation might appear “illogical” at times, but provided assurances there was a rationale.
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He said: “We know that decisions made during our investigations can sometimes appear illogical to those on the outside, but I want to make it very clear that there will always be a good reason or rationale behind them.
“We will always ensure that should we identify any ongoing threat, we will manage that as part of the investigation.
“Unlike our adversaries, our tactics vary and may not always be obvious to everyone.
“In this case, this decision-making has led to swifter progress, better evidence, and ultimately us securing the charges that I have announced today in sensitive investigations like this.
“It can take time to convert intelligence into evidence. And this is what scores of my officers and staff have been doing over the last few weeks.”
The Head of Counter Terrorism Policing added that investigations into proxies “take time to establish what those individuals knew about the ambition behind the tasking”.
After the first five men were released on bail, the US President said he was “surprised” the suspects were released on bail, adding he “wouldn’t have done that”.
Mr Trump later withdrew US bombers from RAF Fairford over “threats” despite No10 insisting the military base was safe.
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