West Yorkshire police revealed two men have been arrested and charged with terrorism offences by police who were investigating a suspected Christmas terror attack.
Chip shop owner, Andi Sami Star, 31, from Chesterfield, and Farhad Salah, 22, from Sheffield have been charged with engaging in preparation of an act of terrorism.
The duo were among four men arrested on 19th December 2017, in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. They were arrested by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North East following an intelligence-led operation.
The pair, who were remanded in custody, appeared at Westminster Magistrate's Court via video link from Leeds.
The owner of Mermaid Traditional Fish Bar, Andi Sami Star's solicitor suggested that there was no evidence that his client was involved in terrorism. His solicitor indicated that Star would plead not guilty.
Prosecutor, Thomas Halpin told the hearing the Crown alleged that Star and Salah had been a part of the early stages of a plot when they were arrested.
While a 41-year-old man from Meersbrook, Sheffield was released, a 36-year-old man from Burngreave, Sheffield remains in custody.
Star and Salah are both Kurdish Iraqis. According to the Daily Mail, Star's ex-girlfriend said that he arrived in the Uk from Iraqi Kurdistan, his homeland, about 10 years ago. The Daily Mail also added that Star was granted indefinite leave to stay in the UK, and he passed his citizenship test three months ago.
25-year-old Jordan Batteson who lives near the Fish bar owned by Star said, “He [Andi Sami Star} was a really nice guy, really friendly. I used to go in there to get my chips. He have the staff copies of the Koran.”
