Teenager facing terrorism charges
Police have been granted a further seven days to question Mr Ibrahim |
A 19-year-old Bristol man has been charged with terrorist offences relating to explosive substances. Andrew Ibrahim, of Westbury-on-Trym, was arrested on 17 April. Three controlled explosions were later carried out at his flat.
He has been charged with possession of an explosive substance, the intention to commit terrorism and the possession of articles for terrorist purposes.
He will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The student is a son of an NHS consultant and was educated at some of Bristol's top independent schools.
Speaking ahead of his appearance in the London court, Mr Ibrahim's family spoke of their "shock" at the charges.
In a statement, his relatives said: "As a family we have been shocked and deeply distressed by the events of the past fortnight.
| ACC Jackie Roberts |
This has been a very challenging and complex investigation for Avon and Somerset police 
"We are still coming to terms with the news and trying to deal with this shock as a family. We therefore would ask that the media respect our privacy at this extremely difficult time."
According to police, the teenager has been accused of possessing Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine, also known as HMTD, which is an explosive organic chemical compound.
He has also been accused of possessing, among other items, two home-made vests, a quantity of ball bearings, a quantity of air gun pellets, a quantity of nails and screws, wired circuitry, batteries and electric bulb filaments.
Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said: "This has been a very challenging and complex investigation for Avon and Somerset police with much work still to be done."
She said "significant amounts of material including numerous computers and associated media" had been recovered.
Tip-off
"Over the past two weeks over 100 officers have been working on the enquiry with additional specialist support from our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service," she continued.
ACC Roberts thanked the local Muslim community for its assistance.
Mr Ibrahim, who moved to the area just weeks prior to his arrest, is understood to have recently converted to Islam.
He was arrested after covert inquiries prompted by an intelligence tip-off from within the city's Muslim community.
Avon and Somerset police officers cordoned off woods near Mr Ibrahim's home following his arrest.