Two men charged over alleged plot targeting Manchester’s Jewish community

What police allege the men did

Police allege that, on or before Sept. 20, Ahmadyan and Salehi used encrypted communications to seek components for a homemade explosive device. The charging particulars also accuse them of obtaining a document and a video with bomb-making instructions, along with liquids, components and equipment for an improvised explosive device.

The particulars describe a second strand of alleged preparation: using the internet to research possible targets, obtaining images, plans and maps, and conducting reconnaissance of possible attack locations. Police say the suspected plot targeted the Jewish community in the Manchester area, but have not publicly named a particular synagogue, building or other site.

These are distinct accusations. Seeking components through encrypted messages is different from acquiring equipment, and neither establishes that the men assembled a device. The published police account lists alleged steps but does not provide the messages, instructional files or other underlying material that would allow the public to assess each accusation independently.

An allegation of reconnaissance does not establish that an attack was carried out. Nor do the references to images, plans and maps tell residents which places investigators believe were under consideration. Police have described possible targets without confirming a specific venue.

Police say they searched addresses in Liverpool and Salford after the arrests and have completed those searches. The published statements do not detail what, if anything, was recovered. The charge describes alleged conduct; it does not supply a full inventory of physical evidence.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it decided to prosecute following a counterterrorism investigation. In its statement on the charges, it stressed that the decision is not a finding of guilt and that the defendants have a right to a fair trial. The available official statements do not give either man’s response to the accusations.

What police say about the risk to Manchester’s Jewish community

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, a senior counterterrorism policing official, said investigators believe the suspected plot was disrupted. As CBS News reported, Evans said, "we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter". She also urged people to remain vigilant and report concerns.

Police say the charges may deepen concern among Jewish communities during the High Holy Days and around the anniversary of the October 2025 Heaton Park synagogue attack. That attack is part of the context for the community’s concern; police have not said it was connected to the new case.

Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said local officers continue working with community leaders and the Community Security Trust, with visible policing and security engagement continuing. His account describes a continuing protective response even as counterterrorism police say they see no ongoing threat from this particular case.

The distinction matters to people trying to assess their safety. Police say they believe the suspected plot has been disrupted, but the charge particulars do not name a location or establish that a specific community site was targeted. The police assessment concerns this investigation; it is not a finding that every allegation in the charge has been proved.

Why the RAF Fairford investigation is separate

The earlier RAF Fairford coverage concerned an incident near a base used by U.S. forces. The Manchester charges are the new development: police have described alleged preparation to target a Jewish community and explicitly say the two investigations are unconnected.

RAF Fairford has been used by U.S. bombers. The separate base investigation has raised questions about possible foreign-state involvement, but those questions do not make its suspects part of the Manchester case. Police have not accused Ahmadyan or Salehi of targeting the base.

Police say both men charged in Manchester are Iranian nationals. They also allege the men had contact about the suspected plot with an overseas third party who may be in Iran. Police have not established that person’s location or identified them publicly, and the allegation does not establish that Iran’s government directed the suspected plot.

Nationality is not evidence of state direction, nor does it implicate other Iranian people. The charges concern the alleged actions of two named defendants. The Fairford inquiry concerns a different incident, and counterterrorism police say there is no connection between the investigations.

What remains unresolved in the Manchester case

The published charge particulars do not explain what supports the alleged encrypted communications, acquisitions or reconnaissance. They also leave open which places investigators say were considered and who the overseas contact was. Those unanswered questions cannot be settled by the announcement of charges.

Ahmadyan and Salehi were remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, Oct. 3. The available police and prosecution statements do not establish what happened at that appearance or give a later court date.