London men charged under National Security Act over terror plot

Two men from London have been charged under the National Security Act in connection with alleged Iran-backed terrorist plots in Europe. Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. US officials claim they acted as associates of Mohammed Ali al-Hassani, an Iranian-Iraqi national accused of directing and paying individuals in the UK to carry out preparatory steps for attacks.

Allegations of European Terror Plots

US authorities allege that al-Hassani, who was reportedly a UK citizen until his status was revoked last month due to national security concerns, masterminded 18 Iran-backed terrorist plots across Europe. The indictment claims seven of these attacks occurred in the UK, more than any other country. Preparatory steps for a plot targeting RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire are specifically mentioned, with US officials stating al-Hassani directed and paid associates in the United Kingdom from Iran to conduct these actions and arrange logistics.

Al-Hassani is accused of using a network of contacts in the UK to orchestrate the Fairford plot. He allegedly paid an unnamed individual to conduct surveillance of the base's perimeter and tasked several individuals with preparing for the plot. This included procuring vans and fuel, researching chemical accelerants, and purchasing materials for shrapnel. The vans were reportedly to be outfitted to appear as if used by fuel delivery and swimming pool supply businesses.

Charges Against London Men

Mohmed Abdulkarim is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service by acting as an intermediary for an Iranian handler identified only as 'Ali'. Nouman Essghir faces a charge of entering a prohibited place for purposes prejudicial to the UK, relating to an alleged reconnaissance mission conducted approximately one month before the incident near RAF Fairford. The incident on September 27 saw three suspicious vans searched by police.

Al-Hassani and another Iranian national, Mohsen Mohajeri, are accused of working for banned groups, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah. A third individual, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, who was already in US custody, is accused of smuggling coded messages from prison to the pair. The US removed its bombers from RAF Fairford following the incident, and Iran has denied any involvement.

A Home Office spokesperson stated that commenting on ongoing legal proceedings would be inappropriate. However, the spokesperson added that the government acknowledges serious threats from Iran and will continue to confront them, supporting police and intelligence agencies with increased funding and new powers to detect and prevent threats.