A student nurse charged with plotting to attack an air force base and bringing a homemade bomb to a hospital maternity unit where he worked made an appearance in a British court on Friday, January 27.
Mohammad Farooq, 27, was arrested on January 20 in Leeds, northern England, outside St. James’s University Hospital with what the prosecution claims was a “viable” pressure-cooker bomb weighing 13.7 kilograms (30 pounds) of a handmade low-explosive mixture.
Authorities claim that earlier this month, Farooq engaged in “hostile reconnaissance” of a Royal Air Force base in England after being encouraged online to do so.
In connection with the air base plan, which prosecutors claim was driven by Islamic extremism, he is accused of one count of preparing an act of terrorism.
Farooq is also charged with carrying an explosive substance and possessing an imitation firearm in connection with the hospital incident, which authorities claim was motivated by a grudge towards another member of staff.
On Friday, January 27, Farooq appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court; he was not asked to enter a plea. He was ordered detained until his next court hearing on February 3 at London’s Central Criminal Court.
News Source: lindaikejisblog
