Four Men Admit Arson of Jewish Ambulances in London, Terror Charges Pending

Four men pleaded guilty in a British court to setting fire to ambulances belonging to the Jewish organization Hatzalah in the Golders Green neighborhood of London, causing damage estimated at one million pounds. The suspects, Hamza Iqbal (20), Rihan Khan (19), Judex Atchasi (18), and Saif Ali (18), admitted to charges of reckless destruction or damage to property endangering life. Prosecutors claimed three of the men ignited the ambulances while the fourth waited in a getaway car. Prosecutor Leo Selig described the incident as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community and requested that the suspects be charged with terrorism. However, Judge Chima Grab declined to rule on the terrorism aspect at this stage following defense opposition.

The arson occurred in the early morning hours of March 23, when four Hatzalah ambulances, each valued at 250,000 pounds (approximately 340,000 USD), were set ablaze. The fire caused gas canisters inside the vehicles to explode, damaging nearby apartments and a synagogue. British investigators are also exploring whether the suspects acted on behalf of Iran and if they are connected to other recent terror incidents against the Jewish community in the UK. The four men remain in custody, with sentencing scheduled for next spring.