Two Iranian nationals have been charged with preparing a terrorist attack targeting a synagogue in Manchester during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, nos.nl reported. The UK Crown Prosecution Service charged 36-year-old Salam Ahmadyan and 34-year-old Rahman Salehi following an investigation by the counter-terrorism department of the police, according to VRT Nieuws.
Arrest on September 20 During Yom Kippur Preparations
Police arrested both suspects on September 20 in a northern district of Manchester. The timing coincided with the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Investigators stated that the men were searching for parts, tools, instructions on how to build a bomb, and potential targets. Counter-terrorism officers uncovered encrypted communications detailing their plans to acquire components for an improvised explosive device.
Arrival via Small Boats and Asylum Status
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the two suspects entered the country via small boats across the English Channel in 2020 and 2023. One of the men was granted political asylum, while the other man’s application remained under review at the time of the arrests. Mahmood noted that the government faces serious threats from the Iranian regime, which targets Jewish communities and attempts to silence critics through allies or criminals.
One-Year Anniversary of the Heaton Park Attack
The terror charges emerged one year after a fatal attack struck the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in North Manchester on October 2, 2025. Police stated that the newly uncovered plot targeted the local Jewish community in the same city.
Court Appearance and Independence from RAF Fairford Arrests
The two Iranian defendants are scheduled to appear in a London court today for a formal hearing. Police investigators confirmed they currently see no operational link between this synagogue plot and the arrest of five men near the Royal Air Force Fairford base the previous week. Those five individuals remain under investigation for suspected terrorism preparation, with authorities similarly examining potential connections to Iran. The Iranian government rejected those allegations, accusing British authorities of spreading anti-Iran propaganda regarding military bases housing US bombers used in joint operations with Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Manchester Synagogue Plot
What specific evidence led police to the suspects in Manchester?
Counter-terrorism police recovered data showing the men searched for bomb-making instructions, tools, and specific locations while using encrypted messaging to coordinate with a third party believed to be located in Iran.
Are the two charged men connected to any other recent terror arrests in the UK?
British police stated they have found no operational connection between the arrest of Salam Ahmadyan and Rahman Salehi and the separate arrest of five men near the RAF Fairford air base.
What was the exact timeline of the suspects’ arrival in the United Kingdom?
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the two defendants entered the country via small boats across the Channel in separate years, specifically in 2020 and 2023.
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