London – Eleven people charged with plotting to blow up U.S.-bound airliners were brought to court Tuesday under heavy security, and the eight men charged with conspiracy to commit murder and preparing to commit terrorism were ordered held until next month.
Police cars with lights flashing and sirens blaring cleared the way for vans carrying the suspects to the City of Westminster Magistrates Court in London.
Tanvir Hussain, 25, Ahmed Ali, 25, Umar Islam, 28, Arafat Khan, 25, Assad Ali Sarwar, 26, Adam Khatib, 19, Ibrahim Savant, 25 and Waheed Zaman, 22, all were ordered held until a second court appearance Sept. 4.
Hussain’s lawyer, Mohammed Zeb, told the judge, “All allegations are denied.”
A dozen family members and a swarm of journalists squeezed into the courtroom. Each suspect was accompanied by a guard and stood in the dock protected by heavy glass.
As they were led away, Khan and Islam smiled at people in the public gallery.
Three others charged with lesser offenses were also ordered held until a court appearance next week, including a 17-year-old male charged with possessing material which could be used to prepare a terrorist act.
