A recent Muslim convert from Bristol, England has been arrested and charged with possession of explosives and intent to carry out terrorism. According to police, 19-year old Andrew Ibrahim was in possession of HMTD organic explosives, two home-made vests, a quantity of nails and screws, and other materials used in detonations. BBC:
A 19-year-old Bristol man has been charged with terrorist offenses relating to explosive substances.
Andrew Ibrahim, of Westbury-on-Trym, was arrested on 17 April. Three controlled explosions were later carried out at his flat.
He has been charged with possession of an explosive substance, the intention to commit terrorism and the possession of articles for terrorist purposes.
He will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The student is a son of an NHS consultant and was educated at some of Bristol's top independent schools.
Speaking ahead of his appearance in the London court, Mr Ibrahim's family spoke of their "shock" at the charges.
In a statement, his relatives said: "As a family we have been shocked and deeply distressed by the events of the past fortnight.
"We are still coming to terms with the news and trying to deal with this shock as a family. We therefore would ask that the media respect our privacy at this extremely difficult time."
According to police, the teenager has been accused of possessing Hexamethalyene Triperoxide Diamine, also known as HMTD, which is an explosive organic chemical compound.
He has also been accused of possessing, among other items, two home-made vests, a quantity of ball bearings, a quantity of air gun pellets, a quantity of nails and screws, wired circuitry, batteries and electric bulb filaments.
Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said: "This has been a very challenging and complex investigation for Avon and Somerset police with much work still to be done."
She said "significant amounts of material including numerous computers and associated media" had been recovered."
Over the past two weeks over 100 officers have been working on the enquiry with additional specialist support from our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service," she continued.
ACC Roberts thanked the local Muslim community for its assistance. Mr Ibrahim, who moved to the area just weeks prior to his arrest, is understood to have recently converted to Islam. . .
And this account gives you an idea how hard Ibrahim was working to be a good neighbor:
Neighbours described Ibrahim, who they said had not been in the house long, as heavily built and often seen wearing traditional Muslim dress and carrying a satchel.
Others said they had confronted him about “loud chanting” a few days ago.
(photo copyright: SWNS)
