Kriminalität: Anklage gegen Iraner: Terrorplan gegen jüdische Gemeinde?

Two Iranian citizens living in the UK have been accused of planning attacks on the Jewish community in Manchester, according to the Metropolitan Police. The men, aged 36 and 34, were arrested in Manchester on September 20th. They are said to have sought information and materials for making explosives online, and researched potential attack targets.

Prosecutors claim these two men were in contact with a third individual, possibly in Iran. The men, who reside in Liverpool and Salford, have been held in custody and are set to appear in court in London today. The Metropolitan Police chief, Vicki Evans, acknowledged that the news of the alleged attack plans coincided with the start of Yom Kippur, the highest Jewish holiday.

She also mentioned the synagogue attack in Heaton Park, Manchester that occurred on the same day, the first annual observance of the tragedy. The terrorist attack by a suspected Islamist assailant caused shock in the UK and sparked a debate over the rising threat of antisemitic violence. Evans noted that some of the broader threats originating from Iran were brought into focus this week, but stressed that these cases were "in no way connected" to the attack near RAF Fairford.

Five men were arrested near the US-run RAF Fairford base in the night before Sunday, accused of preparing a terrorist act and violating explosives laws. The investigation into these men is ongoing. Prime Minister Andy Burnham mentioned on Wednesday a possible link to Iran.