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Two Iranian nationals charged over alleged terror plot against Manchester's Jewish community

Counter Terrorism Policing charged Salam Ahmadyan and Rahman Salehi, both Iranian nationals, on 2 October with preparing terrorist acts over an alleged plot against Manchester's Jewish community. They were arrested on 20 September, the eve of Yom Kippur, and are due at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

10 outlets · 3L · 2C · 5R First reported Account updated
Image: GB News
Image: BBC News
Image: The Guardian
Image: Evening Standard
Image: Daily Mirror
Image: The Straits Times
Image: NBC News
Image: Daily Express

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Two Iranian nationals, Salam Ahmadyan, 36, of Liverpool and Rahman Salehi, of Salford, were charged on Friday 2 October over an alleged terror plot targeting the Jewish community in the Manchester area. Mixed · 3Reports differ on Salehi's age: the Mirror, Evening Standard, GB News and AFP give 34, while Reuters copy, the Guardian and the BBC give 35. Mixed · 2They were arrested in Manchester on Sunday 20 September, shortly before Yom Kippur began; the Guardian says the arrests were in Newton Street in the Northern Quarter, and police were given extra time to question them under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Mixed · 2The Mirror and Evening Standard report they were charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006; Reuters-based reports describe the charge as preparing to commit, or assisting another to commit, an act of terrorism. Mixed · 2Police allege the two were in contact with an overseas third party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot. Left · 1The particulars of the charge, as published by the Mirror, include using encrypted apps to acquire components for a homemade explosive device, acquiring a document titled "Steps for Making [a] Powder Chlorine and Car Brake Oil/Fluid Bomb", acquiring bomb-making videos, liquids and equipment, researching potential targets online, acquiring images, plans and maps of targets, and conducting reconnaissance of potential locations.

Mixed · 2Searches were carried out at addresses on Epworth Street in Liverpool and Lancaster Road in Salford. Mixed · 2Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans of Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation disrupted what police believe was a plot targeting Manchester's Jewish community, and that police do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public. Mixed · 2Evans said the case is not connected to a separate investigation into RAF Fairford, the air base used by the US, over which a dual UK-Iranian national was arrested on Thursday, according to Reuters copy.

Centre · 1Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the suspects arrived by small boat several years ago, and called it a reminder of the importance of tackling illegal migration; she also said the country faces serious threats from the Iranian regime. Centre · 1The Evening Standard reports, saying this is its understanding rather than official confirmation, that the men arrived in 2020 and 2023, and that one was granted asylum while the other has a live claim. Left · 1The Crown Prosecution Service's Frank Ferguson said prosecutors found sufficient evidence to bring the case, and reminded the public that the defendants have the right to a fair trial.

Mixed · 2The charges came a year to the day after the Heaton Park synagogue attack in Manchester, in which two men were killed; police and Greater Manchester Police's Terry Woods said the timing heightened concern in the Jewish community. Left · 2Both men were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday 3 October.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left3 outlets

Framing
The Guardian and Mirror give the fullest accounts, carrying police, CPS and Home Secretary statements and, in the Mirror, the full particulars of the charge; NBC runs Reuters copy.
Emphasis
Detail of the alleged bomb-making and reconnaissance, the Heaton Park anniversary, and the Home Secretary's remarks on small-boat arrivals.
Leaves out or plays down
The Mirror omits the asylum and small-boat background; the Guardian omits the chlorine-bomb particulars.
Charged language
“alleged terror plot”
For example
“The men were arrested on 20 September, on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar” — The Guardian
“Communicating with others using encrypted applications to acquire components to assemble a homemade explosive device.” — Daily Mirror

Centre2 outlets

Framing
The BBC gives a brief, factual report; the Evening Standard leads with the suspects' small-boat arrival and runs long official statements.
Emphasis
The Standard stresses migration route and asylum status; the BBC stresses the timing when thousands of Jews were in synagogues.
Leaves out or plays down
The BBC gives no particulars of the charge or the Iran link.
Charged language
“alleged bomb plot”
For example
“Two Iranian men charged with an alleged bomb plot against the Jewish community arrived in the UK by small boats.” — Evening Standard
“The pair were arrested in the Northern Quarter area of the city, when thousands of British Jews were in synagogues.” — BBC News

Right5 outlets

Framing
Mostly short, wire-led reports (Reuters, AFP) with the Iran link in the foreground; GB News and the Express keep it brief.
Emphasis
The possible Iran-based third party, the RAF Fairford separation (Jerusalem Post) and the Heaton Park anniversary (Arab News).
Leaves out or plays down
The right-leaning outlets omit the small-boat, asylum and bomb-making details reported by the Standard and Mirror.
Charged language
“suspected terror plot”
For example
“Two Iranians have been charged with a suspected terror plot against British Jews ahead of Yom Kippur.” — GB News
“No connection with RAF Fairford terror plot” — The Jerusalem Post