Two Men in Court Over Alleged Iranian Intelligence Plot Targeting RAF Fairford

Two men have appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with national security offences following an alleged plot to target RAF Fairford on behalf of a handler believed to be working for Iranian intelligence. 

Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, of London, is charged under the National Security Act 2023 with assisting a foreign intelligence service by acting as an intermediary for a handler known as "Ali" who is believed to be based abroad. 

Co-defendant Nouman Essghir, 24, of Westminster, faces a charge under the same legislation of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom following an alleged reconnaissance mission at the military base on 22 August.

The court heard that Abdulkarim allegedly purchased equipment for the operation and received payments totalling approximately £70,000 from the overseas handler. Prosecutors allege that Essghir filmed the perimeter of the airbase during the August incident at the request of "Ali". 

A month later, on 28 September, a group of men were instructed to drive petrol-filled vans to the Gloucestershire airbase, which serves as a forward operating location for the US Air Force. 

Upon arrival, the men were allegedly told to park the vehicles and flee after receiving a communication from the handler claiming an explosive device was inside the vans.

Prosecutor Louise Gray told the court: "Shortly thereafter the message was received that there was a bomb in the vehicles and one of them called the police." 

Officers attending the scene located three white vans alongside five men, who were immediately arrested. Specialist searches revealed no explosive materials inside the vehicles, although police recovered quantities of petrol, large water butts, and internet-enabled dashcams.

Following the September incident, the US Air Force withdrew its bomber aircraft from the Gloucestershire site and returned them to the United States. 

Essghir was initially arrested at the scene near the airbase and subsequently re-arrested on 20 October prior to being charged in relation to the earlier filming allegation. 

A 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national re-arrested on the same date on suspicion of aiding Iranian intelligence was released without charge regarding that matter, but remains on police bail after being arrested on 1 October on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts. 

Five other individuals arrested during the counter-terrorism investigation also remain on police bail.

Deputy District Judge Tan Ikram granted Abdulkarim bail subject to strict conditions, including the surrender of his passport, noting that the defendant relies on an electric wheelchair for mobility. 

Essghir was remanded in custody. Both defendants were ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing at the Central Criminal Court on 20 November, where the national security proceedings will continue.