Man accused of UK Christmas terror plot ‘bought chemicals and matches’

From Metro

A man has appeared in court accused of buying a knife, balaclava and ‘explosive pre-cursors’ including chemicals, more than 8,000 matches and a number of fuses, while planning a Christmas terror attack in the UK. Iranian Fatah Mohammed Abdullah, 33, from Arthur’s Hill in Newcastle, is also alleged to have searched online for components, including a pressure cooker, to make an explosive. He was accompanied by three police officers in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Saturday.

Adbullah, who represented himself, was arrested on Tuesday last week after more than a hundred police officers carried out a raid on a home in Newcastle last week.

The suspect wore a grey tracksuit, sported dark stubble and sat with his hands clasped behind his neck for most of the hearing. He faces one count of engaging, between April 9 and December 11, in the preparation of an act of terrorism, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Asked if there was anything he wanted to say Abdullah replied: ‘I just want to go home.’ The court heard he came to the UK from Iran in 2005 and was granted leave to remain in 2010. District Judge Kwame Inyundo remanded Abdullah in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on January 14.