Chef insists he has no connection to plotters
War on Terrorism: Charges
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A chef who has been accused of offering weapons training on a website aimed at young British Muslims insisted yesterday he was innocent of any connection with terrorism.
Sulayman Balal Zain-ul-Abidin, 43, who works in the kitchens of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London, was arrested on Monday by Scotland Yard anti-terrorism officers.
The swoop followed newspaper reports about the alleged activities of a company owned by the food worker, Sakina Security Services, based at his London home.
Mr Zain-ul-Abidin, from Greenwich, south-east London, sat impassive as he appeared amid intense media interest and tight security at the nearby Belmarsh magistrates' court. He is accused under the 2000 Terrorism Act of providing training in the making or use of "firearms, explosives, or chemical, biological or nuclear weapons", on or before 1 October this year
A second count alleges that he invited people to undergo instruction in the same types of weapons, through the Sakina Security Services website.
Mr Zain-ul-Abidin, the first person in Britain to face a terrorism charge since the 11 September attacks, spoke yesterday only to say he understood the charges, saying to the court clerk: "Yes, ma'am." But his lawyer, Tyrone Smith, said his client, who appeared in court wearing a white T-shirt and dark trousers, was a family man of good character who denied any involvement in training terrorist fighters.
Mr Smith said afterwards: "He [Mr Zain-ul-Abidin] does not accept these allegations and will contest them in due course." There was no application for bail.
Mr Zain-ul-Abidin will appear again at the Belmarsh court next Friday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments