A Manchester synagogue that has already endured a deadly terror attack was singled out again in an alleged homemade bomb plot, a court has been told.
Prosecutors say two Iranian men — Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford — carried out what they describe as “hostile reconnaissance” at Heaton Park Synagogue in north Manchester and at the Jewish Museum in Cheetham Hill.
Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue was the scene of a fatal attack on 2 October last year, when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove into its gates and launched a knife assault while wearing a fake suicide belt. Two men, Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said Mr Ahmadyan and Mr Salehi were arrested in Manchester on 20 September and were charged yesterday with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts.
It is further alleged the pair were communicating with an Iranian national who “directed and coordinated the planned attack”, with investigators assessing the third party was “most likely operating within Iran.”
The two men appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning. Mr Salehi, speaking through a Kurdish interpreter, and Mr Ahmadyan, through a Farsi interpreter, confirmed their names, dates of birth and addresses.
District Judge Nina Tempia remanded both men in custody, ordering them to next appear at the Old Bailey for a hearing on 23 October.
In court, prosecutor Mark Luckett said: “Both defendants are accused of preparing acts of terrorism targeting the Jewish community in Manchester through the use of a homemade explosive device.
“The defendants were observed carrying out, what the prosecution say, is a hostile reconnaissance within Manchester’s Jewish community, identifying attempted targets such as the Jewish Museum and Heaton Park Synagogue.”
Mr Luckett told the court the arrests came shortly before Yom Kippur, widely regarded as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
“They were in contact with a third party who is alleged to have directed and coordinated the planned attack and provided instructions on how to assemble a home-made explosive device,” he said.
“It is assessed this individual is also an Iranian national and most likely operating from within Iran.”
The court heard both men arrived in the UK illegally on small boats.
Mr Salehi entered the UK in 2020 after previously claiming asylum in Germany, where he spent five years, the court was told. He was granted asylum in the UK in 2023 and has leave to remain until July 2028.
Mr Ahmadyan arrived in 2023 and has an outstanding asylum claim, the court heard.
Prosecutors allege the pair received guidance on how to make a chlorine bomb and then obtained liquids, components and equipment needed to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device.
They are also accused of using the internet to identify and research potential targets, gathering images, plans and maps of possible locations, and carrying out reconnaissance visits to places prosecutors say were being considered for attack.
Police searches were carried out as part of the investigation at addresses on Epworth Street, Liverpool, and Lancaster Road, Salford.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, CTP senior national co-ordinator, said officers do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.
She said: “I’m aware that the news of this alleged plot coming during the High Holy Day period has caused a great deal of concern to the Jewish community, as well as with the wider public.
“It also coincides with the anniversary of the devastating terrorist attack last year at Heaton Park synagogue and comes in a wider context of increasing antisemitic incidents across the UK, so we are very aware that this will likely increase what were already heightened concerns amongst the Jewish community.
“While this incident and the investigation into the RAF Fairford incident are not connected in any way, I want to reassure the public that CTP, working with our national security partners, are using the full range of our capabilities to protect the UK from any hostile acts.”
CTP also said today that a sixth man arrested in connection with the suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford has been released on bail.
