United Kingdom: A medical student named Mohammad Farooq, 27-year-old was captured and presented in court on the charges of planning a terrorist bomb attack at an RAF base following the discovery of a pressure cooker bomb with him outside St James’s University Hospital in Leeds.
As per the updates, the young student was allegedly inspired and influenced by radical Islam and jihad when he was involved in “hostile reconnaissance” of a Yorkshire military base on 10 and 18 January after conducting online research.
During the court hearing, Farooq chose the target after being encouraged online to carry out a “lone wolf” attack at the location. In addition, he was said to construct a viable pressure cooker bomb of around 13.7kg from a homemade low explosive mixture along with the length of a pyrotechnic fuse.
As per the reports, the accused was arrested last Friday during the early hours outside St James’s University hospital’s maternity unit, where he was present due to work a shift. “Farooq was said to tell a man that he “felt like killing everyone” before showing his gun and told the police that he was carrying a bomb”, said reports.
As per the sources, his actions at James’s hospital are not fully alleged to have been inspired by terrorism but by a grudge or tension toward another staff member, noted reports.
Furthermore, on Friday, Farooq appeared at Westminster magistrates from the Bradford police station, during which he spoke and confirmed his name, address, and date of birth, along with other details. Reports added that he was not asked to enter pleas to three charges against him.
Moreover, between 12 July last year and 20 January, he was also charged with one case of getting involved in conduct with willingly committing acts of terrorism. On his part, prosecutor Mark Luckett added, “Farooq received the instruction of making a homemade explosive”.
“He bought the equipment and made the bomb, after which he researched the RAF base online and engaged in reconnaissance of the target set”, Luckett noted.
Previously, He has also been charged with possessing an explosive and dangerous substance on 20 January with intent to threaten life or cause serious damage to the property of the place.
“Farooq has been facing a further count of possessing an imitation firearm – a Gediz 9mm PAK semi-automatic pistol – with intent to cause fear of violence on the same date,” said reports.
In the end, there was no application for bail and the chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, remanded him into custody. His next appearance will be at the Old Bailey next Friday.
