Two 24-year-old men, Mohmed Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, have been charged under the United Kingdom’s National Security Act 2023 over an incident involving RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire, England.
The charges follow a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into suspicious activity linked to the airbase, which has attracted significant attention amid concerns about possible foreign intelligence involvement.
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, announced that the two men would face prosecution.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute two individuals with National Security Act offences following a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into a high-profile incident involving RAF Fairford,” Ferguson said.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners as this complex investigation continues.” He added.
The charges against the two men relate to different alleged offences under British law. Abdulkarim has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, while Essghir faces a charge of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom.
Both men are expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 27.
INVESTIGATION INTO SUSPECTED FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT
The case follows an investigation into suspicious activity reported near RAF Fairford on September 27, when police arrested five men after receiving reports of suspicious vehicles in the area.
Counter-terrorism officers subsequently pursued further inquiries into the incident, including possible links to foreign intelligence activities.
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British counter-terrorism officials have previously said Iranian state involvement was considered highly likely, although investigations into the extent of any involvement remained ongoing. Iran has denied involvement in the alleged plot.
RAF Fairford, located in Gloucestershire, is an important military airbase that has been used by United States aircraft during military operations.
The investigation has drawn attention to the security implications of suspected foreign intelligence activities around sensitive military installations in the United Kingdom.
The decision to prosecute marks a significant development in the case, although the allegations against both men remain unproven.
