Terror suspects ‘who plotted to kill PM Theresa May at 10 Downing Street with suicide bombs and knives’ in court as its revealed one ‘planned to join ISIS in Libya’
The pair were remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court
TWO men have been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of plotting to launch a suicide bombing and knife attack on 10 Downing Street to kill PM Theresa May.
Naa’imur Zakariyah Rahman, 20, was charged with preparing acts of terrorism after he was arrested by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command while allegedly carrying two potential IEDs last week.
Cops claim he was plotting a bomb assault on the security gates with an explosive device hidden in a bag.
Rahman then allegedly planned to storm inside Number Ten, wearing a suicide vest and brandishing pepper spray and a knife, in a bid to kill Mrs May.
He is also accused of assisting 21-year-old Mohammed Aqib Imran, who appeared in court alongside him today.
Imran allegedly planned to join the Islamic State in Libya after saving up £3,600 and obtaining a passport to leave the UK.
He was also caught with a popular terrorist manual called 'How to Survive in the West: A Mujhajid's Guide'.
Today the pair were flanked by four police officers, with a dock officer sat in the corner.
Both indicated not guilty pleas to the charges via their lawyers.
The two defendants spoke to confirm their names, ages and addresses, with Rahman confirming his nationality as Bangladeshi British and Imran confirming his as Pakistani British.
Mark Carroll, prosecuting, said Rahman carried out reconnaissance of Whitehall, scouting the area in preparation of the attack.
He added: "Mr Rahman planned to detonate an explosive device at the gates of Downing Street.
"He then sought to gain access to Number 10 in the ensuing chaos with a view to kill the Prime Minister.
"'The secondary attack was to be carried out with a suicide vest, pepper spray and a knife.
"He had also carried out a hostile reconnaissance of the area as part of his preparation."
Rahman, with long dark hair, and Imran, with thick curly dark hair and a beard, both wore grey prison issue tracksuits and stood still with their hands clasped during the hearing.
Mark Carroll, prosecuting, said: "There are two allegations which relate to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism with a nexus, both being disrupted prior to being carried out."
The PM’s home in Downing Street is surrounded by a ring of steel and its main entrance protected by security gates at Whitehall.
Imran is accused of trying to get a fake passport and wanting to reach Libya.
Both men were arrested on Tuesday November 28. When held in North Kensington, West London, shortly before 3pm, police claim Rahman was carrying two IEDs, said to be “inert”.
An hour and a half later cops swooped on Imran in South East Birmingham.
Both men will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, charged with terror offences.
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Rahman, of Finchley, North London, is charged with the intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention, contrary to section 5(1)(a) and (3) Terrorism Act 2006.
Rahman is also charged with the intention of assisting Mohammed Aqib Imran to commit acts of terrorism engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to his intention of committing acts of terrorism, contrary to section 5(1)(b) and (3) Terrorism Act 2006.
Imran is charged with the intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention. Contrary to section 5(1)(a) and (3) Terrorism Act 2006.
Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot sent the case to the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on December 20.
No bail applications were made during the short hearing.