Staff Reporter, Daily Dawn, Dawn TV Report
London: Three accused appeared in a British court on Saturday for their involvement in a plot to attack Shahzad Akbar, who holds the position of advisor to former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Warren Steinier, prosecuting, told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that the three British nationals were part of a ‘systematic and planned’ attack, under which they were to go to the homes of Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja at around the same time on December 24 and attack them.
According to the prosecution, Shahzad Akbar was stabbed several times in the face at his home in Cambridge by a masked man who asked about him by name.
Meanwhile, two men went to the home of Adil Raja, a former army officer turned YouTuber living in Chesham, northwest of London, and tried to break in. Adil Raja was not at home at the time.
A week later, two men, one of whom was allegedly armed, were seen trying to break a window at Shahzad Akbar’s address and throw burning cloth inside. However, no one was injured.
Police said the investigation was being led by counter-terrorism officers due to the “highly specific nature” of the incidents.
Carl Blackbird, 40, faces two counts of assault and two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, while Chris Macaulay, 39, faces one count of similar assault. Donito Brammer, 21, has been charged with possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit arson.
The three suspects have not pleaded guilty and have been remanded in custody until their next appearance at London’s Old Bailey Court on February 13.
Three other men were also arrested in connection with the investigation, but have either been released or have not yet been charged.
Leave a Reply