[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] A student nurse appeared in a British court Friday, charged with planning to attack an air force base and taking a home-made bomb to a hospital maternity unit where he worked.Mohammad Farooq, 27, was arrested outside St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds, northern England, on Jan. 20 with what prosecutors say was a "viable" pressure-cooker bomb containing 13.7 kilograms (30 pounds) of a homemade low-explosive mixture.
Prosecutors also allege that Farooq carried out "hostile reconnaissance" of a Royal Air Force base in northern England earlier this month after being encouraged online to attack it.
He faces one charge of preparing an act of terrorism in connection with the air base plan, which prosecutors allege was motivated by "Islamic" extremism.
| Sounds like a jihadi to me. |
| Even if he were not a true jihadi, do we really want to import a culture that says it’s good to blow up random mothers and babies because one of the guys on your shift cracks his chewing gum? On the other hand, dear Reader, what’s your bet on how long before it is revealed that Mr. Farooq is highly connected to jihadis, and the authorities have a large file on him? |
| The Guardian adds: |
Farooq is said to have told a man he "felt like killing everyone" before showing him a gun, then told police he had a bomb.
His actions at the hospital are not alleged to have been motivated by terrorism but by a grudge towards another member of staff.
Farooq, from Leeds, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on Friday from a cop shoppe in Bradford. He spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth and was not asked to enter pleas to the three charges he faces.
Farooq is charged with one count of engaging in conduct with the intention of committing acts of terrorism between 12 July and last year and 20 January.
The prosecutor Mark Luckett said Farooq allegedly had instructions to assemble a homemade bomb, bought equipment and made the bomb, researched the RAF base online and engaged in reconnaissance of the alleged target.
He is also charged with possessing an explosive substance on 20 January with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.
Farooq faces 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.
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.
| The Yorkshire Post makes it explicit: |
Prosecutors said and he chose the target because of online encouragement to carry out a “lone wolf” attack at the site.
Farooq, from Roundhay in Leeds, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday from a police station in Bradford
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