Two men have been charged with national security offences following the suspected terrorist incident involving RAF Fairford.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed today (Tuesday) that Mohmed Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, both aged 24 and from Westminster, London, have been charged under the National Security Act 2023.
Abdulkarim is charged with one offence of assisting a foreign intelligence service, contrary to Section 3(2) of the Act.
Prosecutors allege that between 31 August and 28 September, he engaged in conduct likely to materially assist a foreign intelligence service with activities relating to the UK.
Essghir is charged with one offence of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Act.
The charge relates to alleged activity on 22 August, when prosecutors say he inspected, approached or was in the vicinity of a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.
Both men are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 27 October).
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “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.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners as this complex investigation continues.”
The charges follow a major security incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday 27 September.
Armed police were deployed after reports of three suspicious vehicles travelling towards the US airbase in the early hours.
Five men were initially arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act before being further arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.
The incident prompted a huge emergency response involving armed officers, army bomb disposal specialists, fire crews and specialist ambulance teams.
A 400-metre cordon was established around three vans, while approximately 85 households were evacuated.
Police later confirmed that petrol was discovered during searches of the vehicles, but no explosive devices were found.
Further arrests followed as Counter Terrorism Policing continued its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The US subsequently withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford, with President Donald Trump confirming that security threats had prompted the decision.
The CPS has not identified a foreign intelligence service in its announcement or confirmed whether either charge relates directly to the events of Sunday 27 September.
Both defendants are entitled to a fair trial, and the charges against them have not been proven.
