The pair, both Kurdish Iraqis, were accused of possessing ‘low explosive black powder’ intended for a homemade bomb

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Two men have appeared in court accused of preparing a homemade bomb for a terrorist attack in the UK.

Fish and chip shop owner Andy Star, 31, and Farhad Salah, 22, were arrested when counter-terrorism police officers raided their homes in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire on 19 December.

The men, both Kurdish Iraqis, are jointly charged with one count of engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism, Westminster magistrates’ court in London heard on Friday.

The pair appeared at the hearing via a video link from Leeds magistrates court.

The court heard they were accused of possessing “low explosive black powder”. The pair were among four men arrested on 19 December.

South Yorkshire police said a 36-year-old man from Burngreave in Sheffield remained in custody, while a 41-year-old from Meersbrook in Sheffield was released on Saturday.

Star, who owns the Mermaid Fish and Chip Bar in Chesterfield, and Salah, who lives in Sheffield, were remanded in custody by District Judge Tan Ikram before a hearing at the Old Bailey on 19 January.

Star’s lawyer, Sajad Chaudhury, told the court: “The offence is denied and at the first opportunity at the crown court he will indicate a not guilty plea.”