LONDON — Three individuals accused of setting fire to emergency vehicles belonging to a Jewish charitable organization were ordered to remain behind bars following their court appearance on Saturday.
The fire occurred on March 23 in Golders Green, a northern London area home to a substantial Jewish community, and completely destroyed four emergency vehicles operated by Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer group that provides medical emergency services locally. The blaze caused oxygen tanks inside the ambulances to detonate, shattering windows in a nearby residential building.
Authorities charged Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, both British citizens, and a 17-year-old with dual British-Pakistani citizenship from east London on Friday with arson and reckless endangerment of life. Due to his minor status, the teenage suspect’s identity remains protected by law and he will be housed in a juvenile detention facility.
During the 45-minute proceeding at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday, none of the accused entered formal pleas. The court was also informed that investigators have taken a fourth individual into custody in relation to the incident.
Authorities specializing in counterterrorism are treating the fire as a crime motivated by antisemitic hatred. Investigators are examining a statement claiming responsibility from an organization that may have connections to Iran, though officials have not classified the incident as terrorism.
Prosecutor Emma Harraway informed the court that “There is significant evidence that this was a premeditated and targeted attack against the Jewish community.”
The three accused individuals are scheduled for their next court appearance at London’s Central Criminal Court, commonly referred to as the Old Bailey, on April 24.
Two additional men who were previously taken into custody on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life have been released on bail.
