Pregnant terror suspect remanded in custody

A pregnant terror suspect accused of helping her husband prepare for a knife attack in the UK was remanded in custody today (Tues).

Madihah Taheer, 21, is accused of letting Ummariyat Mirza, 21, use her credit card to buy a steel combat knife as he plotted an act of terrorism on or before 29 March.

Mirza has also been charged with possessing the bomb-making guide the Anarchist Cookbook and an extremist document called the Mujahideen Poisons handbook.

His sister, Zainub Mirza, 23, is accused of sending Islamic State propaganda videos, including a picture of a man holding two severed heads, to encourage terror attacks.

The siblings were arrested in a series of anti-terror raids on 29 March and are set to appear at the Old Bailey on 28 April.

Police arrested Taheer, who is 36 weeks pregnant, in Birmingham yesterday.

Today (tues) she appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with one count of assisting another to commit acts of terrorism.

The expectant mum, wearing a black hijab and grey robes, waved to family members in the public gallery and spoke only to identify herself.

According to charges she tried to help Mirza ‘by providing her bank details and other support to her husband so he could purchase a knife which could assist him to carry out an attack in the UK’.

Prosecutor Rebecca Ledwidge said: ‘The charge is an indictable only matter and as such the crown would say it should be sent to the crown court.

‘The Crown would ask that it’s sent to this Friday, 28 April at the Central Criminal Court to join up with the two other people that this case will be joined with.’

District Judge John Zani said: ‘I’m transferring this case to the Central Criminal Court and you will either be produced there in person which is the standard order, or if your physical situation requires otherwise perhaps ot will be via videolink.’

Taheer, of St Agathas Road, Birmingham, was remanded in custody until a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on 28 April.

She will be held at HMP Bronzefield, which is said to have ‘resources to cater for pregnant mothers’.

Ummariyat Mirza, of the same address, will appear at the Old Bailey on the same date charged with preparing to commit an act of terrorism and possessing terrorist material.

Zainub Mirza, of Eastfield Road, Bordesley Green, will be produced with them charged with sending Islamic State propaganda videos to others.
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