Two Iranian men who arrived in the UK on small boats have appeared in court after being charged with an alleged bomb plot in Manchester.
Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, were arrested in Manchester on Sunday, September 20.
They were charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts on Friday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) confirmed.
The pair allegedly conducted “hostile reconnaissance” at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, as well as the Jewish Museum in Cheetham Hill, prosecutors claimed.
Heaton Park Synagogue was subject to a terror attack on October 2, 2025, when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove his car into the gates and began attacking worshippers with a knife.
Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed during the attack.
Ahmadyan and Salehi appeared in front of Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning.
They are accused of “preparing acts of terrorism” using a “homemade explosive device”.
Two Iranian men, Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, who arrived in the UK on small boats, today appeared in court after being charged with an alleged bomb plot in Manchester
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PA/ELIZABETH COOK
Prosecutor Mark Luckett said the pair were “in contact with a third party who is alleged to have directed and coordinated the planned attack and provided instructions on how to assemble a home-made explosive device.”
He added: “It is assessed this individual is also an Iranian national and most likely operating from within Iran.”
Ahmadyan, through a Farsi interpreter, and Salehi, through a Kurdish interpreter, spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth, and addresses. They were not asked to enter pleas to the charge.
The pair will appear for a hearing on October 23, as District Judge Nina Tempia remanded both into custody.
Both suspects arrived to the UK on small boats. While Rahman Salehi has been granted leave to remain until 2028, Salam Ahmadyan still has an outstanding asylum claim
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GETTYThe court heard Ahmadyan arrived in the UK via small boat in 2023. He still has an outstanding asylum claim.
Salehi came to the UK on a small boat in 2020 and was granted asylum in 2023, the court heard.
He has leave to remain until July 2028.
He previously claimed asylum and spent five years in Germany before coming to the UK.
Following the pair’s arrest last month, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “This has been a long-running proactive investigation which has led to the disruption of what we believe to be a plot to target the Jewish community in the Manchester area.
“Counter Terrorism policing continue to focus our efforts on identifying and disrupting those who wish to cause harm in our communities.
“We are acutely aware this news will cause further concern to the Jewish community, as well as the wider public, especially given the significant High Holy Day period.
“I want to reassure them we are working incredibly closely with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police and partners to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep them and the wider public safe.
“And more broadly, across the country CTP is working with local police forces to provide protective security support and advice for areas with Jewish communities, and particularly during the High Holy Day period.
“As we have shown with these arrests, where we suspect there could be a threat to the public, then we will not hesitate to investigate and take action.
“We are pursuing a number of lines enquiry and we anticipate these will continue over the coming days as this investigation continues.
“Importantly, we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as ever, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns.”