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Six men in total – all from Birmingham – charged over terrorism offences after arrests in city last week Three men from Birmingham who were arrested a week ago as part of a major operation by counter-terrorism police in the Midlands have been charged with plotting a suicide bombing campaign in the UK. Two of them, Irfan Nasser and Irfan Khalid, aged 30 and 26 and from the Sparkhill and Sparkbrook areas, also face charges of making a martyrdom film, travelling to Pakistan for training in terrorism – including bomb making, weapons and poison making – collecting money for terrorism, and constructing a home-made explosive device. Ashik Ali, 26, from Balsall Heath, was charged with collecting money for terrorism, stating an intention to be a suicide bomber, and involvement in recruiting others for terrorist acts. A fourth man, Rahin Ahmed, 25, from Mosely, was charged with assisting others to travel to Pakistan for terrorism training, and investing and managing money for terrorist acts. It is alleged that between Christmas Day 2010 and 19 September this year, they were preparing, or helping others prepare, to commit acts of terrorism. Two other men, Bahader Ali and Mohammed Rizwan, aged 28 and 32 and from Sparkbrook, were also charged with failing to disclose information. It is alleged that between 29 July and 19 September this year, both had information which they knew may help prevent the commission of an act of terrorism. Bahader Ali, who is Ashik Ali’s brother, was also charged with terrorist fund raising. Last week’s arrests were unarmed, pre-planned and intelligence-led, according to West Midlands police, which added that a seventh man from Birmingham, aged 20, continues to be questioned. Officers have until Thursday to charge him, release him, or apply for a further warrant of detention. The six charged men will appear at West London magistrates court in Hammersmith on Monday. The arrests took place from 11.30am on Sunday 18 September, with the last suspect detained at about 1am on the Monday morning. The raids took place in several deprived areas of the city that have sizeable Muslim populations. The operation involved MI5, with officers from Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command supporting the Birmingham-based force. West Midlands police said last week the “large-scale operation” had been running for some time and had been subject to regular review, adding that the action was necessary “in order to ensure public safety”. UK security and terrorism Ben Quinn guardian.co.uk