Four defendants entered guilty pleas to charges related to the destruction of ambulances owned by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer-led emergency service organization operating in the Golders Green area of north London. The defendants—Hamza Iqbal, age 20; Rehan Khan, age 19; Judex Atshatski, age 18; and Saif Ali, age 18—pleaded guilty to destroying or damaging property and acting recklessly regarding potential danger to life.
The four ambulances were set ablaze in the early hours of March 23. Each vehicle was valued at approximately 250,000 pounds ($340,000) and contained fully stocked medical equipment. The resulting fire caused gas canisters stored in the ambulances to explode, with flames spreading to damage nearby residential apartments and a synagogue. According to court proceedings, three of the defendants were responsible for igniting the vehicles while the fourth remained in a getaway car.
The attack occurred in the weeks following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran that began on Feb. 28. Authorities classified the incident among several events considered to have antisemitic elements that took place during that period. Counterterrorism police investigated possible involvement by Iranian proxy groups, as well as connections to other attacks on Jewish locations in London. An online group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, or the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, has claimed responsibility for multiple such incidents. The Iranian Embassy in the United Kingdom issued a statement saying it “categorically rejects” allegations of involvement in violent activities within British territory.
The prosecution indicated the incident possessed “terrorist connection” elements. Sentencing is scheduled for spring 2027, following the completion of a separate trial involving a fifth man. A fifth defendant, Subhan Ahmed, age 18, pleaded not guilty to charges of assisting an offender and is accused of helping dispose of the vehicle used in the attack. His trial is set to commence on Jan. 27.
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