Two Iranian nationals charged with terrorism in UK over alleged plot against Manchester's Jewish community

British police said two Iranian nationals have been charged with preparing a terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Manchester. According to Iran International, police said the two had been in contact in connection with the plot with someone outside the UK who "may be in Iran."

The suspects, whose names were released by British police, are R.S. and S.A. Sources give their ages as 34–35 and 36. The pair were detained on Sept. 20, the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, on Newton Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. The charges include "preparation of terrorist acts" under Section 5 of the UK's Terrorism Act 2006.

According to details based on Sky News, the charges allege that the suspects tried to obtain materials and components for a homemade explosive and communicated with others via encrypted messaging apps. They are also alleged to have researched possible targets online and surveilled them in person. Vicky Evans, national coordinator of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, described the charges as "extremely serious." The suspects are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

The suspects have only been charged; there is no court ruling. The presumption of innocence applies.

How the Persian press covered it

The domestic economic daily Donya-e-Eqtesad ran the story under the headline "A new move by Britain against Iran" and reported the police statements as "allegations." The newspaper wrote that British officials had made "baseless security allegations" against Iran in recent months. It also noted that Iran's embassy in London had "categorically rejected" similar allegations and warned against "fueling hostility toward Iran." The state news agency IRNA also reported the story using the phrase "security allegations."

Context

Over the past two years, the number of security investigations in the UK allegedly linked to Iran has grown, and the issue has become a constant source of tension in relations between the two countries. Tehran routinely denies such accusations.