Six remanded on terror charges

Six men appeared in court today in connection with terrorism charges.

Jewel Uddin, 26, Omar Mohammed Khan, 27, Mohammed Hasseen, 23, Anzal Hussain, 24, Mohammed Saud and Zohaib Ahmed, both 22, appeared via video link for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey charged under Section 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006.

They are jointly accused of preparing an act or acts of terrorism between May 1 and July 4 this year.

The men, all from Birmingham, face an allegation that they took part in activities including the manufacture of an improvised explosive device, the acquisition of firearms and other weapons, and the purchase of motor vehicles connected with the charges.

The charges follow a series of arrests by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, assisted by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit.

Uddin, Khan and Hasseen were arrested after a routine stop of a Renault Laguna by police on the M1 near Sheffield on Saturday June 30.

It was alleged that a cache of weapons was found in that vehicle along with a note addressed to the English Defence League, which was planning a rally in South Yorkshire that day.

Hussain, Saud and Ahmed, who were arrested on July 4, were allegedly travelling in a gold Rover which was in a convoy with the Laguna.

The men spoke only to confirm their identities and were remanded in custody ahead of a hearing in January next year.

PA