RAF Fairford suspects co-ordinated by handler known as 'Ali', court hears

Two British men have appeared in court charged with national security offences over the incident at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, both appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged under the National Security Act 2023.

One of those men is suspected of assisting Iran's intelligence service.

The court heard how the group of men were ordered to drive petrol-filled vans to the RAF base, on behalf of a handler called "Ali", who police is believe was working on behalf of Iran.

Prosecutors told the court how one of the five men called police for help after "Ali" told the group there was a bomb in the vans.

Abdulkarim, 24, from London, has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service - allegedly Iran.

It is suspected that he acted as an "intermediary" for the handler "Ali", who police believe to be abroad.

The court heart that Abdulkarim allegedly bought equipment for the mission, and received payments of around £70,000 from "Ali".

Nouman Essghir, also 24, and from Westminster, has been charged with entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK a month earlier on 22 August.

This relates to an alleged "reconnaissance" mission on that date and prosecutors told the court he filmed the perimeter of the RAF base.

Essghir was arrested as one of the five men found at the scene near RAF Fairford, before he was re-arrested on 20 October.

However, the charge he faces relates to alleged filming of the perimeter on 22 August at the request "Ali", the court heard.

Prosecutors allege that once the group of men had travelled to the US-operated airbase they were told to park the vans and run away, after receiving communication from "Ali" that there was a bomb in the vans.

Prosecutor Louise Gray said: "Shortly thereafter the message was received that there was a bomb in the vehicles and one of them called the police."

Police attended, located three white vans and five men, who were arrested.

No explosive materials were found in the vans, but the court heard police found petrol, large water butts and internet enabled "smart" dashcams.

RAF Fairford has been used as a forward operating location by the US Air Force for decades.

After the incident in September, the US pulled its bombers out of the base and returned them to America.

A 25-year-old dual UK/Iranian national, who was also re-arrested alongside Essghir on 20 October on suspicion of aiding Iran's intelligence service, has been released without charge.

However, he remains on police bail after being arrested on 1 October on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.

Five other men arrested during the investigation remain on police bail.

Abdulkarim, who is in an electric wheelchair user, has been granted bail, but with strict conditions, including the surrender of his passport.

Both defendants will appear at the Old Bailey on 20 November.

(c) Sky News 2026: RAF Fairford suspects co-ordinated by handler known as 'Ali', court hears