Trial set for men accused of synagogue bomb plot

Two Iranian men have appeared in court over an alleged plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester with a homemade bomb.

Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool, and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford, are accused of conducting hostile reconnaissance at Heaton Park Synagogue, which was subject to a fatal attack last year, along with the Jewish Museum in Cheetham Hill.

The pair, who arrived illegally into the UK on boats, are charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts on or before 20 September. They deny the charges.

They appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey and a trial date was set at Manchester Crown Court for 15 June 2027.

It is alleged Ahmadyan and Salehi were in contact with an Iranian national who directed and co-ordinated the planned attack, with the third party most likely operating within Iran.

The men are accused of getting instructions to make a chlorine bomb and acquiring liquids, components and equipment required in order to manufacture or assemble an improvised explosive 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.

The pair deny the charges against them.

The trial is estimated to last five weeks. The next court hearing is due to take place on 16 April next year.

Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove into the gates of Heaton Park Hebrew Synagogue on 2 October last year, and began a knife attack while wearing a fake suicide belt.