The key facts

  • Salaam Ahmadian, 36, and Rahman Salehi, 34, are accused of preparing a terrorist attack against Jewish sites in Manchester, including the Manchester Jewish Museum and the synagogue in Heaton Park.
  • According to the prosecution, Ahmadian acted on instructions from a third party believed to be in Iran; a file with bomb-making instructions was found on his phone.
  • On 18 September, the day of Yom Kippur, both were seen photographing and filming areas of Manchester; both deny the charges, with the trial set for June in Manchester.

Charges and alleged targets

On Friday, a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey in London considered the case of Salaam Ahmadian (36) and Rahman Salehi (34). According to the prosecution, they were preparing acts of terrorism on the instructions of an agent of the regime who is believed to be in Iran. Among the targets named were the Manchester Jewish Museum and the synagogue in Heaton Park — the site of last year's attack in which two Jewish worshippers were killed. Both defendants deny the charges; they face a trial in June in Manchester on terrorism charges connected to the alleged plot.

The prosecution's case

Prosecutor Lyndon Harris told the court that around 8 September this year, a third party asked Ahmadian to buy components for an improvised bomb. Ten days later he enlisted Salehi's help, after which he purchased various materials online. According to the prosecutor, on 20 September — the day of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur — both defendants were observed by police driving around areas of Manchester taking photographs and filming. 'The Crown's case is that this was reconnaissance for a future attack on Manchester's Jewish community,' Harris said.

Iran link and bomb instructions

The prosecutor said the investigation showed that Ahmadian had been in contact with a third party who appears to be in Iran. Analysis of his mobile phone revealed a file whose title, translated into English, reads 'steps for making a bomb from chlorine powder and rake oil fluid.' The prosecution also stated that the suspect had instructions on his phone for making an improvised bomb for an attack on Jews in the UK.

Questioning and circumstances of arrival

Both suspects were questioned by police. Salehi, according to the prosecutor, denied involvement in a terrorist plot, while Ahmadian refused to answer questions. At a previous hearing, the court was told that both arrived in the UK from Europe on small boats: Salehi came in 2020 and was granted asylum, while Ahmadian arrived in 2023, and his asylum claim was still being considered. Ahmadian used the services of a Kurdish Sorani interpreter.