Two charged over alleged plot to assist Iran in RAF Fairford incident
Two British nationals have been charged over an alleged plot to assist Iran's intelligence service as part of the investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford in September.
Two British nationals have been charged over an alleged plot to assist Iran's intelligence service as part of the investigation into the incident at RAF Fairford in September.
Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, from Westminster, has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act.
Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, from Westminster, has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service under Section 3 of the National Security Act.
Nouman Essghir, also 24 and from Westminster, has been charged under Section 4 of the same act with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK on 22 August - weeks before he was arrested near the airbase in Gloucestershire alongside four other men.
Nouman Essghir, also 24 and from Westminster, has been charged under Section 4 of the same act with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK on 22 August - weeks before he was arrested near the airbase in Gloucestershire alongside four other men.
The pair will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
The pair will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
A major incident was declared after three suspicious vans were seen near the US-operated airbase on 27 September.
A major incident was declared after three suspicious vans were seen near the US-operated airbase on 27 September.
Dozens of residents were evacuated and a large cordon was put up in the area around the base. No explosive materials were found in the vans by police but a quantity of petrol was seized.
Dozens of residents were evacuated and a large cordon was put up in the area around the base. No explosive materials were found in the vans by police but a quantity of petrol was seized.
Essghir, from Westminster, was one of five men arrested near the scene in Gloucestershire on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. All five were released on police bail the following day, but Essghir was re-arrested on 20 October.
Essghir, from Westminster, was one of five men arrested near the scene in Gloucestershire on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act and later on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. All five were released on police bail the following day, but Essghir was re-arrested on 20 October.
A 25-year-old UK-Iranian national who was also re-arrested on that date on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service has now been released without charge. He remains on police bail after his initial arrest on 1 October on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
A 25-year-old UK-Iranian national who was also re-arrested on that date on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service has now been released without charge. He remains on police bail after his initial arrest on 1 October on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
The re-arrests in October led to detectives interviewing Abdulkarim.
The re-arrests in October led to detectives interviewing Abdulkarim.
Eight men have been arrested as part of the counter-terror police investigation.
Eight men have been arrested as part of the counter-terror police investigation.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the release of the five men on police bail in September had raised significant questions and speculation about the investigation for members of the public.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the release of the five men on police bail in September had raised significant questions and speculation about the investigation for members of the public.
He stressed that tactics used by counter-terror police can appear "illogical" at times but said that "there will always be a good reason or rationale behind them".
He stressed that tactics used by counter-terror police can appear "illogical" at times but said that "there will always be a good reason or rationale behind them".
"In this case, this decision-making has led to swifter progress, better evidence, and ultimately us securing the charges that I've announced today," he added.
"In this case, this decision-making has led to swifter progress, better evidence, and ultimately us securing the charges that I've announced today," he added.
US President Donald Trump at the time said he was "surprised" the men had been released, saying: "We would not have released them."
US President Donald Trump at the time said he was "surprised" the men had been released, saying: "We would not have released them."
Taylor said counter-terror police had seen "a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state".
Taylor said counter-terror police had seen "a range of incidents in recent months that we believe have been directed by the Iranian state".
Iran has previously denied any involvement in the incident at RAF Fairford.
Iran has previously denied any involvement in the incident at RAF Fairford.
The base has been used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force (USAF) for decades.
The base has been used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force (USAF) for decades.
In recent months, the US has flown B-1 and B-52 bombers from the base to the Middle East, after the UK approved a request for it to be used for defensive strikes against Iran.
In recent months, the US has flown B-1 and B-52 bombers from the base to the Middle East, after the UK approved a request for it to be used for defensive strikes against Iran.
After the incident in September the US pulled its bombers out of the base and returned them to America.
After the incident in September the US pulled its bombers out of the base and returned them to America.
Trump said the aircraft were removed due to "some threats" to the base, without giving specific details.
Trump said the aircraft were removed due to "some threats" to the base, without giving specific details.