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Suspect Mohammed Chowdhury
Photo: AP
Photo: AP
London Mayor Boris Johnson
Photo: AP

UK terror gang: Rabbis also targets

Indictment filed against nine suspects arrested by British police show major sites, London mayor, US embassy, rabbis among intended targets

The US State Department said Monday the US embassy and the Stock Exchange in London were two main targets of a terror group arrested last week in the UK. It has now come to light that the nine members of the group, who are charged with planning terror acts, also intended to attack two UK rabbis and London Mayor Boris Johnson, according to the British newspaper, the Daily Mail.

 

The indictment served against the nine did not give details of the plot or targets, but UK media reported on other targets, including the London Eye giant ferris wheel, Saint Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, and shopping malls around the country. Speaking to reporters in Washington, State Department Spokesperson Mark Toner said he was aware of the reports on their intentions to attack the US embassy and that Britain was also aware of this.


 

The accused are taken to the London court. (Photo: AP)

 

The accused were brought before a London court on Monday under tight security. Each was asked to declare his name, date of birth and address before the judge.

 

The terror plot was thwarted last week when British police raided the houses of 12 suspects in London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Stoke-on-Trent. Three of the suspects were released shortly after, and the remainder were detained and charged.

 

The indictment includes charges of intending to plant explosive devices based on instructions taken from the internet. The accused also researched and experimented with explosive materials and discussed amongst themselves the "best" possible targets. Police surveillance had been carried out from October 1 to November 20. The Daily Mail also reported that they had followed two rabbis and observed their synagogues.

 

Despite the arrest of the nine suspects just before Christmas, sources in the British police forces emphasized that it seems the suspects had not intended to carry out their plans during this holiday season, and had been in very early stages of planning and collecting information.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.28.10, 14:10
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