Bury teenager charged with string of offences as part of terrorism investigation

An 18-year-old has been charged as part of an ongoing terrorism investigation.

Muhammad Zakir Arif from Bury, Greater Manchester was charged with multiple offences following an operation by Counter-Terrorism Policing North West.

On Wednesday 14 February, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how Arif was being questioned by police in Manchester when he lunged at the detective constable.

Arif, of Harrington Close, is accused of one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, one count of strangulation or suffocation, two counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place and two counts of breaching a Section 49 Ripa order, relating to electronic data access.

Arif's alleged victim suffered numerous injuries, including a cut and was deeply distressed by the incident.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “A man has been charged with a number of offences as part of an ongoing investigation led by Counter-Terrorism Policing North West."

During the short hearing, Arif spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth, and did not enter any pleas.

Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram sent the case to be heard at the Old Bailey on Friday 1 March.