Two Men Charged After Gasoline Found at RAF Fairford
Prosecutors allege a 24-year-old Londoner assisted Iranian intelligence while his co-accused entered the US-run base with intent to harm UK security.
By Amir Navarro ·
The Crown Prosecution Service announced on Tuesday that two 24-year-old men from London face national security charges related to an incident at RAF Fairford. The base in western England serves as a hub for American bombers. Authorities allege the suspects plotted to target the facility, which was previously used to strike Iran during this year's conflict.
Mohmed Abdulkarim, a British-Iranian dual national, is charged with assisting Iran's intelligence service. Nouman Essghir, a British citizen, faces charges for entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK. Both men were charged under the National Security Act and are scheduled to appear in court later Tuesday.
The investigation began on Sept. 27 when Essghir was detained outside the base. Armed police and army bomb-disposal teams swarmed the rural area. Scores of residents were evacuated from their homes during the search. Police later reported finding a quantity of gasoline in vans at the scene, though no explosives were recovered.
Essghir was initially released on bail before being re-arrested last week. Abdulkarim was arrested in the same timeframe. Six other men have also been arrested and subsequently released on bail as the inquiry continues.
British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the plot was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Iran has denied involvement, noting that it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target.
The US military pulled its bombers from RAF Fairford following the incident. Ken McCallum, head of MI5, warned earlier this month that Iran and Russia are expanding attacks against the UK. He noted that more than 50 people have been arrested over Iran-linked plots in the past year.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said the agency is working to intervene and identify the threat. He noted that recent incidents appear to be directed by the Iranian state.
Source: KSAT-TV
