• Three men have been charged with planning a terrorist attack on an Islamic education centre in Leeds.
• This case highlights the rise in Islamophobic sentiment which is being further aided by certain government officials.
Three men have been charged in a London court with preparing to commit a terrorist act, with plans allegedly targeting an Islamic education centre in Leeds. The accused, Brogan Stewart, Marco Pitzettu, both aged 24, and Christopher Ringrose, aged 33, were arrested on February 21 in an investigation into right-wing extremism.
The prosecution contends that the trio engaged in extreme right-wing online chat forums, exchanged extremist text messages, and disseminated information related to guns and ammunition. The men allegedly went a step further by manufacturing an FGC-9 semi-automatic gun and acquiring instructions for assembling a 3D-printed firearm. Disturbingly, they identified an Islamic education centre in Leeds as a potential target.
During the Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing, prosecutor Mark Luckett detailed the defendants’ discussions earlier this month, outlining a plan to attack the Islamic Education Centre in Leeds and identifying human targets as potential victims. The court heard that the men were active participants in a Telegram chat group that provided advice on military training and weaponry for the purpose of preparing terrorist acts.
As part of a pre-planned, intelligence-led operation, the homes of the accused were searched, leading to the recovery of a 3D printer, a 3D-printed FGC-9 semi-automatic firearm, decommissioned firearms, knives, and Nazi memorabilia. Notably, one of the accused, Brogan Stewart, is reported to be a former military cadet.
The gravity of the situation is further highlighted by the alleged connection of the accused to a Neo-Nazi chat group where extreme right-wing propaganda, documents, and plans on weapon creation and training were shared. The charges also include accusations of information on firearms and ammunition. The accused individuals are scheduled to appear at the Central Criminal Court on March 15, where further details of the case are expected to emerge.
While these individuals are currently in custody, the case sheds light on the concerning rise in Islamophobic sentiment. The targeting of an Islamic education centre and the identification of human targets reflects a disturbing trend that has risen in correlation with Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people.
Lee Andersons recent comments that London is being “controlled by Islamists” is deteriorating the situation further as, despite the heart wrenching situation in Gaza, members of parliament still feel the need to blame the “bogeyman” they have created themselves to scare their own population into unity against the “Islamists”. This is quite ironic given the circumstances, as this is a tactic the Nazi party used against the Jewish population, it is shameful to think that this is being replicated by the very people it was once imposed on.
