Christmas terror raids: Men accused of preparing UK bomb attack appear in court

Andy Star and Farhad Salah were arrested in coordinated raids days before Christmas

Farhad Salah (left) and Andy Star (right) at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London (PA)

Two men accused of attempting to prepare a homemade bomb to launch a terror attack in the UK have appeared in court.

Andy Star and Farhad Salah, both Iraqi Kurds, were arrested by armed police days before Christmas.

They appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, which heard the pair possessed “low-explosive black powder” – otherwise known as gunpowder.

Mr Star, 31, and 22-year-old Mr Salah are both charged with engaging in preparation for an act of terrorism.

Mr Star’s lawyer, Sajad Chaudhury, told the court: “The offence is denied and at the first opportunity at the Crown Court he will indicate a not guilty plea.”

District Judge Tan Ikram remanded the defendants in custody ahead of a hearing due at the Old Bailey on 19 January.

Mr Star was arrested in a flat above his business, the Mermaid Traditional Fish Bar in Chesterfield, and his alleged accomplice was detained at his home in Brunswick Road, Sheffield, in coordinated raids on 19 December.

The North East Counter Terrorism Unit said a 36-year-old man from Sheffield who was arrested on the same day remains in custody.

A fourth man, 41 and also from Sheffield, was released on 23 December.

Additional reporting by PA