UK charges 2 over suspected Iran-linked incident at US bomber base RAF Fairford
British prosecutors charged two men Tuesday with national security offenses linked to an investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford, a military airbase in southwestern England used by U.S. bombers to launch strikes against Iran. Police said they suspect Iranian involvement in the incident. The Crown Prosecution Service identified the defendants as Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, both from London. Abdulkarim was charged with engaging in conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service between August 31 and September 28.
Essghir faces a separate charge of approaching or entering the vicinity of a prohibited site on August 22 for a purpose allegedly prejudicial to British national security. Both were expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later Tuesday. The charges follow an incident on September 27, when armed police arrested five men traveling in three vehicles near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Investigators subsequently found petrol in the vehicles but no explosives.
The arrests prompted a major security response, including the evacuation of nearby residents. U.S. bombers stationed at the base were withdrawn shortly afterward amid security concerns. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Britain's Counter Terrorism Policing, previously said investigators considered Iranian state involvement highly likely, although the precise nature and objective of any suspected operation remained under investigation.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article gives the police's and counter-terrorism chief's view that Iranian state involvement is highly likely. It never says that Iran's ambassador to Britain has denied the link. Without it a reader may take the suspicion as uncontested, though it is clearly attributed to police throughout.
How we know
- Reuters reported“British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this month that the activity at RAF Fairford was likely to have been coordinated in Iran, which Iran's ambassador to Britain has denied.”Two men charged in UK with helping Iran over RAF Fairford incident (opens in a new tab)
- CBS News reported“categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations published by some British individuals and media outlets attempting to link Iran”U.K. charges 2 men arrested over alleged Iran-linked terror plot against RAF Fairford air base used by U.S. (opens in a new tab)
Five other men arrested during the investigation remain on police bail. Prosecutors emphasized that the proceedings are ongoing and that the defendants have not been found guilty of any offense.
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