Police described the incident in Maida Vale as “deeply disturbing”
A “dangerous” man who threw petrol bombs into the grounds of an Islamic centre in Central London believed the building was linked to the Iranian government.
Iman Zand, 47, targeted the Islamic Centre of England, in Maida Vale, in a late-night attack on February 3.
The Metropolitan Police established that around 12.10am he chucked two bottles containing accelerant, one lit, over a wall before fleeing the scene in a car. The flames damaged a cabin within the grounds but not the main building.
Investigators managed to trace the suspect vehicle’s movements and connected it to Zand via Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras. Later that day, he was stopped near his home in Edgware and arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
The bottles used in the attack were recovered during a forensic examination, the Met said. At court, Zand accepted responsibility for the attack but claimed he was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time.
He has now pleaded guilty to causing an explosion likely to endanger life or injure property and possession of an explosive with intent to injure property.
The Islamic Centre has previously been the scene of anti-Iranian regime protests. Police suspect that Zand – a British national born in Iran – targeted the site as he believed it to be associated with the Iranian government.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley, who led the investigation, said: “This was a premeditated and deeply disturbing attack which caused significant concern both within the local community and across the country. Zand is clearly a dangerous individual.
“Armed with petrol bombs, the defendant travelled to the place of worship under the cover of darkness and carried out a targeted attack that could easily have resulted in devastating loss of life.
“I would like to pay tribute to officers on the ground who responded rapidly as well as to the Maida Vale community for their support and assistance throughout the investigation.
“The outcome sends a powerful message that hatred and violence directed towards any community will not be tolerated, and that we remain committed to identifying those responsible for such offences, bringing them to justice and protecting all Londoners.”
Zand, of Green Lane, Edgware, is due to be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court at a later date.
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