Man convicted of firebombing London Islamic centre in Maida Vale

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 10:31 · Archive

A man has been convicted of throwing petrol bombs at the Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale on 3 February.

Iman Zand, 47, has been convicted of throwing petrol bombs into the grounds of the Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale on 3 February. Police said around 12.10am he threw two bottles containing accelerant, one of which was lit, over a wall before fleeing in a car. The attack damaged a cabin within the grounds but did not affect the main building and caused no injuries.

Zand, a British national born in Iran, targeted the site as he believed it to be linked to the Iranian government. CCTV footage showed a man arriving in a car, approaching the gates and throwing the bottles before driving away. Investigators traced the suspect vehicle using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and later stopped Zand near his home in Edgware, where he was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

At court, Zand accepted responsibility for the attack but claimed he was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time. He has pleaded guilty to causing an explosion likely to endanger life or injure property and possession of an explosive with intent to injure property. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley said the attack was "premeditated and deeply disturbing" and that "Zand is clearly a dangerous individual".

Zand is due to be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court at a later date.

How it is being reported

• Man who threw petrol bombs at London Islamic centre 'may have thought it was linked to Iranian government'Police described the incident in Maida Vale as "deeply disturbing"MyLondon · 14 Nov, 10:04
• Iranian man admits to firebombing London Islamic centre in Maida ValeA man who threw petrol bombs into the grounds of an Islamic centre in Maida Vale has been convicted of arson.This Is Local London · 13 Nov, 18:48

In this story: Iman Zand · Islamic Centre of England · Maida Vale · Edgware · Wood Green Crown Court

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