Four people in court over Jewish ambulance arson

Three men and a teenager charged over an arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in north-west London have made their first Crown Court appearance at the Old Bailey.

The four vehicles, operated by the charity Hatzola, were set alight in Golders Green, causing explosions, in the early hours of 23 March.

Three people allegedly set fire to the fully stocked vehicles, while a fourth waited in a blue Toyota Avensis.

Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, Judex Atshatshi, 18, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attended the preliminary hearing and were remanded in custodyuntil a plea hearing on 28 August.

The fire caused about £1m of damage to the ambulances and medical equipment, with nearby flats and a synagogue also affected.

Prosecutors have said they believe the incident was a targeted attack against the Jewish community.

Iqbal, Khan, and the teenager are charged with arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.Atshatshi is charged with arson with intent to damage and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Another 18-year-old arrested on the same day on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life has been released on bail until a date in July.

Separately, counter-terrorism officers at the Metropolitan Police are investigating whether the incident is linked to several other attacks on targets with Jewish connections in London in recent weeks.

These include two synagogues in north London and a Jewish business.

Detectives are also looking into claims the attacks were carried out on behalf of an Iranian-linked group that has posted videos online about the incidents.

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