Two Birmingham men in court on Syria terrorism charges

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/18/two-birmingham-men-court-syria-terrorism-charges

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Two men are to appear at the Old Bailey charged with travelling to Syria for terrorism, a magistrates court has ruled.

Yusuf Sawar and Mohammed Ahmed, from Handsworth, Birmingham, were arrested at Heathrow airport on Monday after arriving back in the UK on a flight from Turkey.

The men, both 21, who are charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts contrary to section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006, appeared at London's Westminster magistrates court on Saturday.

It is alleged the offence took place "on or before 15 May 2013, with the intention of committing acts of terrorism" and that they "planned and travelled to Syria, via Turkey, in order to engage in acts of terrorism".

The pair, who spoke to confirm their names and dates of birth, were told they would next appear in custody at the Old Bailey on 31 January.

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