A NEWHAM man was among nine men charged with conspiracy to cause explosions in the UK and with preparing for terrorism,

A NEWHAM man was among nine men charged with conspiracy to cause explosions in the UK and with preparing for terrorism,

Shah Mohammed Lutfar Rahman, 28, of St Bernard’s Road, East Ham, appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, along with the other eight.He was remanded in custody until January 14

Twelve men were arrested in raids co-ordinated by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit on December 20. Three have been released without charge.

Those charged are accused of conspiring on dates between October 1 and November 20 to cause an explosion.

They are also accused under 5(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006 of engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism.

Sue Hemming, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said: “I have advised the police that nine men should be charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism with the intention of either committing acts of terrorism, or assisting another to commit such acts.

Three of the men aged 24, 26 and 28 are from Cardiff, two aged 20 and 28 from East London, and four aged 19, 25, 26 and 26 are from Stoke-on-Trent.

Lord Carlile, the independent reviewer of UK counter-terrorism laws, told MPs at the time of the arrests that the allegations were of a “significant” plot.