This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12081828
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
Terror suspects in custody over 'pre-Christmas plot' | Terror suspects in custody over 'pre-Christmas plot' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Nine men charged with conspiracy to bomb high-profile London targets in the run-up to Christmas have been remanded in custody after appearing in court. | Nine men charged with conspiracy to bomb high-profile London targets in the run-up to Christmas have been remanded in custody after appearing in court. |
They were also charged with preparing for terrorism by agreeing potential targets and testing materials. | They were also charged with preparing for terrorism by agreeing potential targets and testing materials. |
The court was told that one of the potential targets was the London Stock Exchange. | The court was told that one of the potential targets was the London Stock Exchange. |
The men are aged between 19 and 28 and three are from Cardiff, two from London and four from Stoke-on-Trent. | The men are aged between 19 and 28 and three are from Cardiff, two from London and four from Stoke-on-Trent. |
The prosecution told the court the police investigation indicated potential targets in the days before Christmas included the US Embassy, political and religious figures. | The prosecution told the court the police investigation indicated potential targets in the days before Christmas included the US Embassy, political and religious figures. |
The men all appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday. | The men all appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday. |
They were arrested during raids which took place in Birmingham, London, Cardiff and Stoke-on-Trent on 20 December. | They were arrested during raids which took place in Birmingham, London, Cardiff and Stoke-on-Trent on 20 December. |
Three others arrested at the same time - two from Cardiff and one from London - were earlier released without charge. | Three others arrested at the same time - two from Cardiff and one from London - were earlier released without charge. |
The raids had been co-ordinated by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit. | The raids had been co-ordinated by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit. |
Those charged are accused of conspiring on dates between 1 October and 20 November to cause an explosion. | Those charged are accused of conspiring on dates between 1 October and 20 November to cause an explosion. |
The accused men have also been charged under 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006 of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism on dates between 1 October and 20 December. | The accused men have also been charged under 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006 of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism on dates between 1 October and 20 December. |
They are alleged to have done this by carrying out reconnaissance, agreeing potential targets, downloading and researching materials and igniting and testing incendiary material. | They are alleged to have done this by carrying out reconnaissance, agreeing potential targets, downloading and researching materials and igniting and testing incendiary material. |
BBC correspondent Jon Brain said the men had appeared before the court in groups. | BBC correspondent Jon Brain said the men had appeared before the court in groups. |
Mohammed Moksudur Rahman Chowdhury, 20, of Stanliff House, Tower Hamlets, and Shah Mohammed Lutfar Rahman, 28, of St Bernard's Road, Newham, have been remanded in custody until 14 January. | Mohammed Moksudur Rahman Chowdhury, 20, of Stanliff House, Tower Hamlets, and Shah Mohammed Lutfar Rahman, 28, of St Bernard's Road, Newham, have been remanded in custody until 14 January. |
Gurukanth Desai, 28, of Albert Street; Omar Sharif Latif, 26, of Neville Street, and Abdul Malik Miah, 24, of Ninian Park Road, all from Cardiff, have to appear at the Old Bailey on the same date. | Gurukanth Desai, 28, of Albert Street; Omar Sharif Latif, 26, of Neville Street, and Abdul Malik Miah, 24, of Ninian Park Road, all from Cardiff, have to appear at the Old Bailey on the same date. |
Nazam Hussain, 25, of Grove Street; Usman Khan, 19, of Persia Walk; Mohibur Rahman, 26, of North Road, and Abul Bosher Mohammed Shahjahan, 26, of Burmarsh Walk, all from Stoke-on-Trent, were also remanded in custody. | Nazam Hussain, 25, of Grove Street; Usman Khan, 19, of Persia Walk; Mohibur Rahman, 26, of North Road, and Abul Bosher Mohammed Shahjahan, 26, of Burmarsh Walk, all from Stoke-on-Trent, were also remanded in custody. |
Our correspondent said the prosecution outlined the details of the alleged plot but because of legal reasons, these have been kept out of the public domain for now. | Our correspondent said the prosecution outlined the details of the alleged plot but because of legal reasons, these have been kept out of the public domain for now. |
Five of the defendants are also facing a third charge of possessing documents and records containing information likely to be of use to terrorists. | Five of the defendants are also facing a third charge of possessing documents and records containing information likely to be of use to terrorists. |
Lord Carlile, the independent reviewer of UK counter-terrorism laws, told MPs` at the time of the arrests that the allegations were of a "significant" plot. |