A student nurse appeared in court in the United Kingdom on Friday, accused of plotting an attack on an air force base and bringing a homemade 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 a “viable” pressure-cooker bomb containing 13.7 kilograms (30 pounds) of a homemade low-explosive mixture, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors also claim Farooq conducted “hostile reconnaissance” of a Royal Air Force base in northern England earlier this month after being encouraged to do so on the internet.
In connection with the air base plan, which prosecutors say was motivated by Islamic extremism, he faces one count of preparing an act of terrorism.
Farooq is also charged with possessing an explosive substance and possessing an imitation firearm in connection with the hospital incident, which prosecutors say was motivated by a personal vendetta against another member of staff.
Farooq appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video link. He was not asked to enter a plea and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on February 3 at London’s Central Criminal Court.
