Two men charged over alleged plot to target Manchester Jewish community as counterterror inquiry continues

British counterterror police announced on October 2 that two men have been charged with offences linked to an alleged plot targeting the Jewish community in the Manchester area. The Metropolitan Police said the suspects, both Iranian nationals, were arrested in Manchester on September 20 and charged on October 2 with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

What police have said

The Metropolitan Police, which led the public statement, named the charged men as Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford. The force said the two were arrested in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and subsequently taken to a London police station for questioning as part of a broader Counter Terrorism Policing investigation.

Investigators allege the two were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot. Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, both men were charged with conduct in preparation for terrorist acts and remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on October 3.

Local and national reporting

Regional and national broadcasters confirmed the police account. ITV reported the charges and provided additional background, including reporting that one of the men had previously arrived in the United Kingdom via a small boat, and that one had an active asylum claim while the other had previously been granted asylum. ITV and local outlets noted the arrests occurred shortly before Yom Kippur, a significant date in the Jewish religious calendar, and that community security groups are working with police.

Security and community response

Counter Terrorism Policing and the Metropolitan Police said they are working closely with local policing teams, the Community Security Trust and other community organisations to ensure public safety. Police messaging emphasised there is no evidence of an ongoing wider threat while the matter is being processed through the courts.

Local authorities and community leaders typically take such allegations seriously and move quickly to reinforce protective measures around synagogues, schools, community centres and public events. The presence of counterterror investigators, combined with direct liaison with community security organisations, aims to both disrupt any plot and provide reassurance to potentially affected communities.

Why the charges matter

The charging of two individuals with preparing acts of terrorism will draw attention for several reasons. First, the alleged targeting of a religious minority raises concerns about ideologically or sectarian motives and the potential for community harm beyond the immediate suspects. Second, the alleged involvement of an overseas actor, which police say may be in Iran, raises questions about cross border communications and influence in plots against civilian targets on UK soil.

The case also highlights ongoing pressures on UK security services. Counterterror investigators have faced a range of threats in recent years, from lone actor attacks to plots coordinated across borders. The complexity of modern investigations often requires close cooperation between local police forces, national counterterror units and international intelligence partners.

What happens next

Both defendants were remanded in custody and scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on October 3. Magistrates will consider the charges and the next procedural steps, which could include remand to a higher court for a formal trial timetable, or applications for special measures if the case involves sensitive intelligence material or national security evidence.

As the criminal process unfolds, investigators are likely to pursue forensic and digital lines of inquiry to establish the alleged planning activity, the nature of any materials or devices involved, and the extent of third party contacts. Police and prosecutors are constrained in what they can publish while an active investigation is live, but they have indicated cooperation with community protection partners will continue.

Context and implications for public safety

Allegations of plots targeting minority communities have a double effect. They pose an immediate criminal threat that requires disruption, and they create fear and political pressure about community cohesion and security policy. The response from police and community organisations in Manchester and beyond will be watched closely by both the Jewish community and the wider public, who expect transparent policing and timely updates compatible with legal constraints.

For now, authorities insist there is no intelligence of a wider ongoing threat to the public linked to this case. The charging of the two men marks an important stage in the criminal process, but it is likely to be followed by further investigative and legal work to determine the full facts behind the allegations.

Readers seeking real time updates should look for court listings for Westminster Magistrates Court and official statements from Counter Terrorism Policing or the Metropolitan Police as the case proceeds through the legal system.