Tower Hamlets man is one of nine charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism offences

Photo: Martin Deutsch

A Tower Hamlets man has been remanded in custody after being charged for his part in an alleged plot to commit terrorist atrocities in the United Kingdom.

Mohammed Moksudur Rahman Chowdury, 20, of Stanliff House, Tower Hamlets, is one of nine charged with conspiracy to cause explosions in the UK and with preparing for terrorism.

The men have been charged with “agreeing potential targets” and “igniting and testing incendiary material” in connection with the plot, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

The accused appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.

Chowdury and another east London man, Shah Mohammed Lutfar Rahman of St Bernard’s Road, Newham, have been remanded in custody till the New Year.

Twelve men were arrested before Christmas in dawn raids throughout the country, coordinated by West Midlands Counter-Terrorism Unit. Three arrests were made in London after raids and searches at four homes in Tower Hamlets and in Newham.

Three men, including one from London, were released without charge.

The nine accused are aged between 19 and 28. As well as the two from east London, four are from Stoke-on-Trent, and three from Cardiff.

They are accused, under the Explosive Substances Act, of conspiring between the dates of 1 October and 20 November to cause “an explosion or explosions of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property in the United Kingdom.”

They have also been charged under 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006 of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism between the dates of 1 October and 20 December.

Sue Hemming, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter-Terrorism Division, said in a statement: “I have today advised the police that nine men should be charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism with the intention of either committing acts of terrorism, or assisting another to commit such acts.”

“I have reviewed the evidence provided to me by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit and I am satisfied there is sufficient for a realistic prospect of conviction, and it is in the public interest that these men should be charged with these offences.”

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