UK student nurse charged with planning attack on air force base and taking bomb to maternity ward where he worked

A student nurse appeared in a British court Friday, January 27, charged with planning to attack an air force base and taking a home-made 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 January 20 with what prosecutors say was a “viable” pressure-cooker bomb containing 13.7 kilograms (30 pounds) of a homemade low-explosive mixture.

Prosecutors allege that Farooq carried out “hostile reconnaissance” of a Royal Air Force base in England earlier this month after being encouraged online to attack it.

He faces one charge of preparing an act of terrorism in connection with the air base plan, which prosecutors allege was motivated by Islamic extremism.

Farooq is also charged with possessing an explosive substance and possessing an imitation firearm over the hospital incident, which prosecutors say was motivated by a grudge against another staff member.

Farooq appeared by video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday January 27, and was not asked to enter pleas. He was ordered detained until his next court hearing on February 3 at London’s Central Criminal Court.