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Two men charged with suspected terror plot targeting Jewish community

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Cite

Reynolds, J. (2026, October 2). Two men charged with suspected terror plot targeting Jewish community. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/jewish-liverpool-salford-greater-manchester-shabana-mahmood-b1299369.html

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

Evening Standard · collected 2026-10-02 · by Jordan Reynolds

Quick Summary

Salam Ahmadyan and Rahman Salehi were arrested in Manchester on September 20 and charged with engaging in conduct preparatory to terrorism under the UK's Terrorism Act. The pair is accused of planning a chlorine bomb attack against Jewish communities after receiving instructions from an overseas individual potentially based in Iran. Searches at their residences uncovered materials related to potential attacks, including reconnaissance activities online targeting Jewish sites. Authorities are emphasizing efforts to protect Jewish communities and secure borders following these arrests.
Written by AI on 2026-10-02, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

On September 20, 2023, British police arrested two Iranian nationals, Rahman Salehi (35) and Salam Ahmadyan (36), in Manchester's Northern Quarter. They were charged with preparing to commit a terrorist act against the Jewish community on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day for Jews. Counter-terrorism detectives alleged that the suspects had been in contact with an overseas third party potentially based in Iran. The arrests came amidst heightened security concerns following the previous year's deadly terror attack at Heaton Park synagogue and a rise in antisemitic incidents across the UK. Authorities have assured the public there is no ongoing threat, but the charges are described as "extremely serious." Salehi and Ahmadyan will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Written for “Iranians Charged Terror Plot UK Jews” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 23 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 Iranians Charged Terror Plot UK Jews
Crime & Law · 24 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 12% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
Evening Standard
Hedges 3 of 38 claims Outlet record 65/100
Evening Standard
Hedges 5 of 45 claims Outlet record 65/100
Evening Standard
Hedges 3 of 28 claims Outlet record 65/100
BBC News
Hedges 0 of 5 claims Outlet record 68/100
Times of India
Hedges 2 of 9 claims Outlet record 59/100
The Guardian
Hedges 1 of 23 claims Outlet record 66/100
Evening Standard
Hedges 1 of 23 claims Outlet record 65/100
The Straits Times
Hedges 1 of 6 claims Outlet record 66/100
NBC News
Hedges 1 of 3 claims Outlet record 60/100
How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
43
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
12%
5 of 43 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
withheld
no quote in the article backed the model's score
Publisher signals
65/100
Evening Standard's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
24
Crime & Law
Same framing elsewhere
5
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Analyzed 2026-10-02 · how these are computed

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Publisher

Evening Standard · 7934 article(s) · 65 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 65 correction(s)

Who wrote this

Jordan Reynolds
48 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
🔮 It read: “He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayers, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to all of us.
🔮 “That process is under way and will be completed in the coming days.”
🔮 “He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayers, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to all of us.
🔮 “He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayers, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to all of us.
🔮 “He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayers, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to all of us.
2026-10-29 · assertive framing · Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart dies aged 86
🔮 “He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayers, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to all of us.
2026-10-29 · assertive framing · Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart dies aged 86
🔮 “That process is under way and will be completed in the coming days.” The Duchess of Sussex sent a final letter to her father while he was recovering in the Philippines from a leg amputation last year, according to reports in the Sun on Sunday.
🔮 Khan hails pedestrianisation of Oxford Street as ‘momentous day’ for London From Monday, almost a kilometre of the busy central London shopping street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, will be traffic-free with vehicles being diverted onto nearby roads.
🔮 Fresh warnings issued as strong winds and heavy rain forecast after two storms Fresh weather warnings have been issued as strong winds and heavy rain are on the way after two storms battered Britain.
🔮 Khan hails pedestrianisation of Oxford Street as ‘momentous day’ for London From Monday, almost a kilometre of the busy central London shopping street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, will be traffic-free with vehicles being diverted onto nearby roads.
Also by Jordan Reynolds
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 48 articles by Jordan Reynolds →

Topics

CTP Jewish Liverpool Manchester Salford

Subjects

Jewish NORP · 8× CTP ORG · 4× Manchester GPE · 3× Counter Terrorism Policing ORG · 2× Iran GPE · 2× Liverpool ORG · 2× Salford GPE · 2× Ahmadyan PERSON · 1× Rahman Salehi PERSON · 1× Salam Ahmadyan PERSON · 1×

Narrative

“It also coincides with the anniversary of the devastating terrorist attack last year at Heaton Park synagogue and comes in a wider context of increasing antisemitic incidents across the UK, so we are very aware that this will likely increase what were already heightened concerns amongst the Jewish community.
framing: assertive · carried by 5 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-02
🔮 It is alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot, CTP said.
2026-10-02 · Evening Standard
Two men charged with suspected terror plot targeting Jewish community · assertive framing
2026-10-02 · Evening Standard
Two men charged with suspected terror plot targeting Jewish community · assertive framing
2026-10-02 · Evening Standard
Two men charged with suspected terror plot targeting Jewish community · assertive framing
2026-10-03 · Evening Standard
Two men to appear in court charged with suspected terror plot · assertive framing
2026-10-04 · Evening Standard
Iranian men ‘identified Heaton Park Synagogue as bomb plot target’ · assertive framing

Claims (43 extracted, 5 hedged)

Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, were arrested in Manchester on Sunday, September 20, and were both charged on Friday with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said. asserted
Policing → arrest → Act
It is alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot, CTP said. uncertain
CTP → allege → plot
Ahmadyan and Salehi arrived via small boat in 2020 and 2023, it is understood. asserted
it → arrive → 2020
One was granted asylum, and the other has a live asylum claim. uncertain
other → grant → claim
Both men have been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. asserted
men → remand → Saturday
They were arrested shortly before the start of Yom Kippur – which was from sundown on September 20 to nightfall on September 21 – and is widely considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. asserted
which → arrest → calendar
According to CTP, the men are accused of getting instructions to make a chlorine bomb. uncertain
men → accord → bomb
It is also alleged they acquired liquids, components and equipment required in order to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive device. asserted
they → allege → device
They are also accused of using the internet to identify and research potential targets, acquiring images, plans and maps of potential targets and conducting reconnaissance of potential locations for attack. asserted
They → accuse → attack
As part of the investigation, searches at addresses in Epworth Street, Liverpool, and Lancaster Road, Salford, were carried out. asserted
searches → carry → Street
“Two suspects have been charged with planning a terrorist attack against Jewish communities in Manchester. asserted
suspects → charge → Manchester
“This news will be deeply distressing for our Jewish communities, coming so soon after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. asserted
news → come → Hashanah
Read More “I know this will be especially true in Manchester, as we mark one year since the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue. asserted
we → read → Synagogue
“The fact both suspects arrived by small boat several years ago is a reminder of the importance of our relentless work to tackle illegal migration into this country. asserted
suspects → arrive → country
While numbers are down, I know there is more we must do. asserted
we → know → ?
“It would be inappropriate to comment further on this case. asserted
It → comment → case
But I can say that we will be unrelenting in our efforts to protect our Jewish communities, root out antisemitism in this country, and maintain our border security. asserted
we → say → security
“It is no secret that this country faces a range of serious threats from the Iranian regime. asserted
country → face → regime
“They target our Jewish communities and try to silence their critics overseas, often through proxies and criminal networks to hide their involvement. asserted
They → target → involvement
“The Prime Minister has been clear there are strong indications of Iran’s involvement in the events near RAF Fairford. asserted
Minister → be → Fairford
“We are responding to these threats with new powers and record funding to disrupt hostile activity. asserted
We → respond → activity
“I’m grateful to our police and intelligence agencies for the exceptional work they do every day to keep us safe.” asserted
they → ’m → us
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), said: “These are extremely serious charges and allegations, and have come about from a joint CTP investigation, working closely with our partners in the security services. asserted
These → say → services
“This investigation has led to the disruption of what we believe to have been a plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester. asserted
we → lead → Manchester
“I would like to reiterate that we do not believe there to be any ongoing threat to the public in relation to this matter, but as always, we would ask that people remain vigilant and contact police with any concerns. asserted
people → like → concerns
“I’m aware that the news of this alleged plot coming during the High Holy day period has caused a great deal of concern to the Jewish community, as well as with the wider public. asserted
news → ’m → public
“It also coincides with the anniversary of the devastating terrorist attack last year at Heaton Park synagogue and comes in a wider context of increasing antisemitic incidents across the UK, so we are very aware that this will likely increase what were already heightened concerns amongst the Jewish community. asserted
what → coincide → community
“This week also brought into sharp focus some of the wider threats being projected into the UK from Iran. asserted
week → bring → Iran
“While this incident and the investigation into the RAF Fairford incident are not connected in any way, I want to reassure the public that CTP, working with our national security partners, are using the full range of our capabilities to protect the UK from any hostile acts. asserted
CTP → connect → acts
“I hope that our actions in this case show that CTP are working proactively and that we will act swiftly whenever we suspect there to be a threat to the public in order to keep them safe. asserted
we → hope → them
“CTP has been supported by colleagues in the North West, Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police during this investigation and we continue to work with those colleagues as some inquiries continue. asserted
inquiries → support → colleagues
“CTP is also working closely with police forces across the country to provide specialist protective security advice and support for areas with Jewish communities to help keep them safe. asserted
CTP → work → them
“Finally, I would like to thank the public – particularly those in affected areas in Manchester and Liverpool – for their support while this investigation has been ongoing. asserted
investigation → like → support
“As ever, I urge the public to remain vigilant and if they have any concerns then do not hesitate to act, and contact police.” asserted
they → urge → police
Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: “We know how concerning this news will be to Jewish communities in Greater Manchester, and beyond. asserted
news → say → Manchester
“We know this is particularly acute on the calendar anniversary of last year’s terrorist atrocity at the Heaton Park synagogue, and during the Jewish High Holy days. asserted
this → know → days
“We continue to work hand in glove locally with community leaders, the Community Security Trust, and our local policing teams, and nationally with Counter Terrorism Police London, which have been leading this investigation. asserted
which → continue → investigation
“Our ongoing and robust policing plans within the Jewish communities will endure, and the public can expect to see continued visibility with officers providing engagement and security.” asserted
officers → endure → engagement
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Rahman Salehi and Salam Ahmadyan following a fast-paced Counter Terrorism Policing investigation in Greater Manchester in September targeting the Jewish community. asserted
We → say → community
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and we remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendants in this case are active and they have the right to a fair trial. asserted
they → work → trial
…and 3 more, not listed.
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