Two Men Charged Under National Security Act Following RAF Fairford Incident

Two men have been charged with National Security Act offences following a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into a high-profile incident involving RAF Fairford, the Crown Prosecution Service announced on Tuesday 27 October 2026.

Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, born 9 June 2002, and Nouman Essghir, 24, born 29 October 2001, both of the London borough of Westminster, are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for their first hearing on Tuesday.  

The charges follow an extensive investigation into events at the airbase. Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, confirmed that the CPS decided to prosecute the two individuals following the counter-terrorism inquiry. Mr Ferguson stated that the CPS would continue to work closely with its partners as the complex investigation continues.  

According to formal charge details released by prosecutors, Abdulkarim is charged with one count of assisting a foreign intelligence service contrary to section 3(2) of the National Security Act 2023.

The Crown alleges that between 31 August 2026 and 28 September 2026, Abdulkarim engaged in conduct that was likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities, knowing, or having regard to other matters known to him, ought reasonably to have known that his conduct would likely materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities.  

Essghir faces one count of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK contrary to section 4(1) of the National Security Act 2023.

The prosecution alleges that on 22 August 2026, Essghir inspected, approached or was in the vicinity of a prohibited place and his conduct was for a purpose that he knew, or having regards to other matters known to him ought reasonably to have known, was prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.  

The CPS emphasised that proceedings against both men are active and they have the right to a fair trial, reminding the public and media that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

Officials noted that the function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider, and that the assessment does not constitute a finding of guilt or factual determination.