Two Iranian men charged over alleged Manchester Jewish community plot
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said the case was not connected “in any way” to the investigation into the RAF Fairford incident.
Two Iranian men have been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts over an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester, the Metropolitan Police has said.
Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, were arrested in Manchester on 20 September and charged on 2 October, following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Both men have been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 3 October 2026. The charge is contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the charges and allegations were “extremely serious”.
The charge particulars say that on or before 20 September the two men, intending to commit acts of terrorism or to assist another to do so, engaged in conduct that included:
- communicating with others using encrypted applications to acquire components to assemble a homemade explosive device
- acquiring a document entitled “Steps for Making [a] Powder Chlorine and Car Brake Oil/Fluid Bomb”
- acquiring video material containing instructions on how to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device
- acquiring liquids, components and equipment required to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device
- using the internet to identify and research potential targets for attack
- acquiring images, plans and maps of potential targets for attack
- conducting reconnaissance of potential locations for attack
Police said it was alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot.
The joint investigation, carried out with the security services, had disrupted what police believe to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester, Evans said. Police do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to the matter.
Police have asked anyone with concerns to report them online at gov.uk/ACT or in confidence on 0800 789 321, and to call 999 in an emergency.
News of the alleged plot, which came during the High Holy day period, has caused “a great deal of concern” to the Jewish community and the wider public, Evans said. Evans added that it also coincides with the anniversary of “the devastating terrorist attack last year at Heaton Park synagogue”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement that both men “arrived by small boat several years ago”. That was a reminder of the importance of the government’s work to tackle illegal migration, Mahmood said. One of the men has been granted asylum and the other has a live asylum claim, the Home Office said.
The men were arrested on Newton Street in Manchester and taken to a London police station. Officers obtained warrants of further detention on 22 September and 26 September, allowing the men to be held until 4 October 2026.