26 Sep 2011

Birmingham terror suspects remanded in custody

Six men accused of terror offences have been remanded in custody. They were arrested in an unarmed, pre-planned police operation in Birmingham last week.

Mohammed Rizwan, 32, from Sparkbrook, Birmingham, appeared at West London Magistrates’ Court charged with with failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism.

It is alleged that between July 29 and September 19 this year he had information which he knew may help prevent the commission of an act of terrorism but did not disclose the information.

He was remanded in custody until October 24 to appear before Westminster magistrates.

House of one of the Birmingham terror suspects (Reuters)

All six men are from Birmingham.

Rizwan, of Asquith Road, made no application for bail.

Bahader Ali, 28, of Turner Road, also in the Sparkbrook area of the city, was refused bail and will appear at court on the same date.

No indication of plea was given.

Ali’s brother, Ashik Ali, 26, of White Street, was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on October 21.

He will appear on the same day with co-accused Irfan Nasser, 30, of Doris Road, Irfan Khalid, 26, of Timbers Way, and Rahim Ahmed, 25, of Moorcroft Road.

They are accused of one count of “engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts”.

Nasser, Khalid and Ali are accused of planning a bombing campaign, stating an intention to become a suicide bomber, collecting money for terrorism, making or helping to make a homemade bomb and recruiting people for terrorism.

Nasser and Khalid are also accused of travelling to Pakistan for terror training including bomb making, weapons and poison making as well as making a “martyrdom” film.

Ahmed is accused of helping others travel to Pakistan for terror training, collecting money for terrorism and investing and managing money for terrorist acts.

Police said the arrests were unarmed, pre-planned and intelligence-led. A seventh man, aged 20, who is also from Birmingham and was arrested on Thursday, continues to be questioned.