Two people appeared in court Wednesday after being charged with terrorist offenses. Raingzieb Ahmed, 32, charged with three counts, spoke only to confirm his name and age during a five-minute hearing at London's City of Westminster Magistrates Court. A 17-year-old from Dewsbury, England, who faces two counts, also spoke only to confirm his identity during a separate appearance. Ahmed was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London on Sept. 7 after returning from Pakistan, where he had been held on suspicion of militancy, Greater Manchester police said. He was charged with directing activities of a terrorist organization, possession documents useful to terrorists and possession of a rucksack containing traces of explosives allegedly for terrorist purposes.
District Judge Timothy Workman ordered Ahmed held pending an appearance in Central Criminal Court on Oct. 5. The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified, was arrested Sept. 11. Workman adjourned the case for one week when the suspect is to return to court. He is accused of possessing quantities of potassium nitrate and calcium chloride, which he allegedly intended to use for terrorism. The second charge involves the possession of a document, the "anarchist's Cookbook," which would be useful in preparing for a terrorist attack. |