Two British men have been charged with national security offences following an investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford, a United States-operated airbase in Gloucestershire, England.
Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, faces charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service, while Nouman Essghir, also 24, is accused of entering a restricted location for a purpose considered harmful to the United Kingdom’s interests.
The two suspects are expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Essghir, who is from Westminster, was charged under Section 4 of the National Security Act 2023 over alleged activities on August 22. He was initially arrested near the airbase on September 27 before being taken into custody again on October 20.
The investigation follows an incident on September 27, when three suspicious vans were spotted near RAF Fairford. Police reportedly discovered petrol inside the vehicles, prompting authorities to establish a security cordon around the military facility for several days.
Counter Terrorism Policing has arrested eight men in connection with the investigation, including five detained near the airbase in September. The five were initially held over suspected offences under the Explosives Act before facing further arrests on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old British-Iranian man who was arrested again last week has been released without charge. He remains on police bail following his initial arrest earlier this month.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who heads Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed the charges against Essghir. Six men remain on police bail as inquiries continue.
Iran has previously rejected allegations that it was involved in the incident.
