RAF Fairford Investigation: Two Men Charged Under UK National Security Act

Two British men have been charged with national security offences following an incident near RAF Fairford, a military airbase in southwest England, amid allegations of Iranian intelligence involvement.

The suspects, Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim, 24, and Nouman Essghir, 24, both from London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 27, after being charged under the UK’s National Security Act 2023.

Abdulkarim is accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service, which British counter-terrorism police believe to be Iran’s. Essghir faces a separate charge of entering a prohibited site for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.

According to prosecutors, the investigation centres on events surrounding September 27, when five men were arrested near RAF Fairford after three vans were found close to the base. The vehicles contained containers of petrol, but police later confirmed that no explosives were found.

Prosecutors allege that a person known as “Ali”, believed to be operating on behalf of Iranian intelligence from outside the UK, directed the group to take the vans to the area. One of the men reportedly received a message claiming there was a bomb in a vehicle and contacted emergency services.

Abdulkarim is accused of acting as an intermediary for the suspected handler, including arranging equipment and receiving payments. Prosecutors also allege that Essghir carried out reconnaissance near the base in August, including filming the site, before travelling there with the group in September.

The incident prompted a major security response, with armed police and bomb-disposal specialists deployed and nearby residents evacuated as a precaution. The case also drew attention because RAF Fairford has been used by US military aircraft, including bombers involved in strikes against Iran earlier this year.

Abdulkarim was granted bail, while Essghir was remanded in custody. Both are due to appear at the Old Bailey on November 20. Six other men arrested during the wider investigation remain on police bail as inquiries continue.

British authorities have linked the incident to suspected Iranian intelligence activity, but Iran has denied involvement. The charges against the two men are allegations, not findings of guilt, and both are entitled to a fair trial.

The investigation remains ongoing as British authorities seek to establish the full circumstances of the incident and whether it was directed by a foreign state.