The ISIS flag. (YouTube screengrab)
A 24-year-old man is accused of plotting to attack U.S. military personnel in Britain in support of the terror group ISIS, the Crown Prosecution Service says.
Junead Ahmed Khan, of Luton, is set to appear in court on Tuesday. His 22-year-old uncle, Shazib Ahmed Khan, of Luton, was also arrested.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The 2 Men Also Allegedly Planned to Join ISIS in Syria
A screenshot from an ISIS video believed to have been taken in Syria. (YouTube)
The Crown Prosecution Service says Junead Ahmed Khan and his uncle, Shazib Ahmed Khan, also planned to travel to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State, the Crown Prosecution Service said in a press release. Junead Khan was charged with two counts and Shazib Khan with one count of “intention of committing acts of terrorism, engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006.”
The investigation began in August 2014.
2. They Were Arrested a Week Ago During Raids on 2 Homes
Britain’s Metropolitan police headquarters, also known as Scotland Yard. Met police lead the investigation into the two Luton men. (Getty)
The two men were arrested last week during raids by Bedfordshire Police and the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorist Command Unit, Sky News reports.
“The men were held following an investigation by the Met Police and there is considered to be sufficient evidence, and it is in the public interest, to charge the men with plotting terrorist acts. Both men have been remanded in custody since their arrest,” Sky News’ Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White ssaid.
3. The Target May Have Been a Royal Air Force Base That Hosts U.S. Airmen
In this handout image provided by the U.S. Air Force, an F-15E Strike Eagle taxis down the runway prior to departure from RAF Lakenheath in preparation for Operation Odyssey Dawn missions March 19, 2011 in Lakenheath, United, Kingdom. (Getty)
British authorities have released few details about Junead Ahmed Khan’s alleged plot to attack U.S. military personnel in Britain.
According to Sky News, the target may have been RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, where more than 5,000 U.S. Air Force personnel are stationed. It is home to the U.S. Air Forces’ 48th Fighter Wing.
The attack would have involved a knife and a car.
Junead Khan – a delivery driver at TRG Logisitics in Luton – is accused of planning to run down a US serviceman and kill him with a knife
Events to celebrate the Fourth of July at the base were cancelled because of “the most current local threat assessments,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
“While we were certainly looking forward to this year’s celebration and hosting the US and UK communities at RAF Feltwell, we have to put public safety first and foremost,” Colonel David Eaglin, the vice-commander of the US 48th Fighter Wing, said at the time.
However, events to celebrate US Independence Day over the weekend of July 3 and 4 at RAF Feltwell, used as a housing estate for US Air Force personnel and about 100 kilometres away from Luton, were cancelled “due to the most current local threat assessments”.
4. Terrorism-Related Arrests Are on the Rise in Britain
The flag of ISIS. (Getty)
According to a report by The Guardian, more than 700 potential terrorism suspects have recently traveled to Syria to join ISIS and hundreds returned to Britain.
Scotland Yard told the newspaper that 338 people had been arrested on terrorism charges in 2014 and the first half of 2015.
5. The Charges Come After 5 Were Killed in an Attack on U.S. Military Personnel in Tennessee
Members of the FBI Evidence Response Team work the scene of a shooting at a Armed Forces Career Center/National Guard recruitment office in Chattanooga. (Getty)
The announcement of the charges come days after a gunman opened fire at two U.S. military buildings in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing four Marines and a Navy sailor. The gunman, Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, was killed by police.
Authorities are investigating the shooting as a case of terrorism, but have not yet determined if Abdulazeez was inspired by ISIS or any other Islamic terrorist group.
