Terror suspects appear in court

Four men from Luton have appeared in court accused of plotting a terrorist attack on a Territorial Army base

Zahid Iqbal, 30, Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed, 24, Syed Hussain, 21, and Umar Arshad, 23, are accused of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing documents useful for terrorism.

The men are charged with discussing methods, materials and targets for a terrorist attack using firearms and improvised explosive devices between January 2011 and their arrest on April 25.

They allegedly researched, downloaded and discussed electronic files containing practical instructions for a terrorist attack.

The men are also charged with “encouraging and participating in physical training” in Snowdonia, purchasing survival equipment, and facilitating and planning travel to Pakistan for terrorism.

They also allegedly collected and supplied funds for terrorist purposes overseas, amounting to more than £180,000 and miniature gold bars worth £10,000.

Documents found in their possession included 44 Ways to Support Jihad by the former al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki, while two of them had a document called 21 Techniques of Silent Killing and a third man had a copy of the Explosives Course 2.

Outlining the charges at the request of District Judge Daphne Wickham, Piers Arnold, prosecuting, said two of the men were heard discussing attacking a Territorial Army base and a number of unspecified targets in bugged conversations recorded in their cars.

All four men spoke only to confirm their names. None applied for bail and they were remanded un custody to appear at the Old Bailey on May 11.

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