RAF Fairford charges: two men to appear in court

A third suspect is not facing charges

Abdulkarim's charge is "assisting a foreign intelligence service".

On the other hand, Essghir faces a charge of "entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the UK".

Meanwhile, a third suspect avoided charge: a 25-year-old UK-Iranian national, re-arrested last week, who remains on bail from his first arrest.

What the RAF Fairford charges mean

RAF Fairford is a US-operated airbase, which explains the seriousness behind a National Security Act case.

These charges are the first concrete step in an investigation counter-terror police have led since late September.

The investigation so far

Officers opened the inquiry after three suspicious vehicles were spotted close to the Gloucestershire base on 27 September.

That led to a major incident declaration.

Releasing the third man without charge, despite re-arresting him last week, hints at weaker evidence against him.

What happened at RAF Fairford?

Three suspicious vehicles were spotted close to the airbase on 27 September.

That triggered the investigation which has now led to two charges.

What happens to the third man arrested?

He has been released without charge.

He remains on police bail from his earlier arrest while the case against the other two continues.