Circuit Wire — a daily news update from the Circuit.
Two Iranian nationals, Rahman Salehi, 34, and Salam Ahmadyan, 36, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Saturday, October 3, charged with preparing an act of terrorism in Manchester, Al Jazeera reported. Police say the alleged plot targeted the city's Jewish community on or before Yom Kippur. Neither man entered a plea, and both were remanded in custody.
The two men were arrested on September 20. Police allege they tried to acquire components and equipment to make an improvised explosive device, and that they carried out reconnaissance on potential targets. The charge is preparing to commit, or assisting another to commit, an act of terrorism.
Investigators also allege the pair were in touch with an overseas third party who may be in Iran, according to a Metropolitan Police statement carried by CBS News. Police have not said who that person is or what role they played.
CBS reports that Ahmadyan lives in Liverpool and Salehi in Salford. Both arrived in Britain by small boat from Europe several years ago. Salehi was granted asylum, while Ahmadyan's claim is still pending.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said police do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public. Police also said the case is unrelated to the separate RAF Fairford investigation, in which a dual UK-Iranian man was arrested this week. We covered that arrest in an earlier Circuit Wire post.
The timing carries weight for UK Jewish communities. CBS notes the charges come a year after the October 2, 2025 attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester, where two people were killed during Yom Kippur services.
The case now moves to London. The next hearing is set for October 23 at the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey. Until then, the men remain in custody and the allegations have not been tested in court.
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