Jewish communities and UK base targeted; us charges three, including Al-Saadi, over allegedly plotting attack
Three men named in indictment
Al-Saadi, a dual Iranian-Iraqi national, is the only one of the three in custody, according to the report. Mohajeri is an Iranian national, and Al-Hassani is an Iraqi national.
Alleged preparations at RAF Fairford
The indictment alleges that Al-Hassani paid associates to watch RAF Fairford in August. It further says he paid others in September to advance the plan. Those alleged steps included obtaining vans and barrels of fuel, looking into chemical accelerants such as potassium chloride, and buying metallic objects that could serve as shrapnel. The indictment links these preparations to the planned assault on the base.
Detentions preceded charges
The case drew attention after five men were detained shortly after midnight on Sept. 27 on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses. The detentions followed reports of three suspicious vans traveling toward the base in western England.
A Justice Department official said the defendants allegedly helped organize a campaign targeting Jewish communities and the British military site, which houses American service members. The indictment adds detail to an episode that had remained unclear for more than a month.
Key points
- The indictment accuses three men of plotting attacks on Jewish communities and RAF Fairford.
- Only Mohammad Al-Saadi is in custody.
- Prosecutors allege surveillance and preparations involving vans, fuel and potential explosive materials.
- Five men were detained after suspicious vans were seen heading toward the base in September.