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Man charged with assisting foreign intelligence service
CNBC • • world
Key Points:
- Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, has been charged under the UK’s National Security Act for allegedly assisting a foreign intelligence service in activities related to RAF Fairford, a military base used by the US for strikes on Iran.
- Another individual, Nouman Essghir, 24, was charged with entering a prohibited place with intent prejudicial to the UK; both men are due to appear in court in London.
- The charges stem from a counterterrorism investigation following arrests made on September 28 near RAF Fairford, which serves as a US Air Force command outpost for European operations and strikes on Iranian missile sites.
- UK officials, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, have suggested the incident was likely coordinated and directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard, though Tehran denies involvement.
- Following the arrests, the US relocated its long-range bombers from the UK citing a threat linked to Iran, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned that military bases involved in strikes on Iran are legitimate targets.
