Palestinian activist Dr Issam Hijjawi on terror rap
The pair are believed to be 49-year-old Davy Jordan from Cappagh Road in Dungannon and 62-year-old Palestinian activist from Scotland Dr Issam Hijjawi.
They were both charged on Monday night.
Jordan is accused of being a member of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and preparatory acts of terrorism.
It is alleged that during the secret MI5 recordings Jordan addressed those at the meeting as the ‘Chairman’ of the New IRA.
He was the founding chairman of the New IRA’s political wing, Saoradh.
Dr Issam Hijjawi was detained at Heathrow Airport on Saturday by Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command and the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit which was in charge over the operation against the New IRA.
It is believed he was due to board a plane to Lebanon.
The doctor is charged with preparatory acts of terrorism.
A property in the Blackhall area of Edinburgh was also searched by officers from Police Scotland after his arrest.
In all, 10 people have now been charged as part of Operation Arbacia, which is targeting the New IRA, considered to be the largest dissident republican group.
They were arrested as part of a major PSNI and MI5 investigation codenamed ‘Operation Arbacia’
On Monday, six people appeared in court charged under the Terrorism Act.
Derry Saoradh chairman Joe Barr (32). of Cecilia’s Walk and Gary Hayden (48), of Tyrconnell Street in the city, were formally charged with offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism, and two separate charges of preparatory acts of terrorism.
Barr was kicked out of the USA a number of years ago after he came to the attention of the FBI following a tip off from British intelligence that he was working in New York.
Hayden was convicted last year of taking part in an illegal ‘New IRA’ parade in Derry city.
They were among seven men and two women arrested last Tuesday as part of a covert PSNI/MI5 probe, codenamed ‘Operatioon Arbacia’ into the activities of the New IRA across the North of Ireland.
They appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon via video link from the nearby Musrave PSNI station custody suite for the hearing.
Also appearing for first remanding hearing were two senior female members of Saoradh.
One is 45-year-old Amanda McCabe.
The defendant, from Alisbury Gardens, Lurgan, was charged with directing terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation and two counts of preparatory acts of terrorism.
A newly married couple were also arrested over the bugging operation at rented premises in Co Tyrone between February and July this year.
They are Sharon Jordan (nee Rafferty) and husband Davy Jordan, from Cappagh Road, Dungannon.
The 49-year-old mother was yesterday charged with membership of the IRA, directing terrorism and preparatory acts of terrorism.
New IRA ‘chairman Davy Jordan on membership rap
Convicted terrorist Damien McLaughlin (44), who was acquitted in 2018 of charges linked to the murder of prison officer David Black, also appeared at the court via video link.
McLaughlin, who is from Kilmascally Road, Dungannon, was charged with a number of offences including membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and conspiracy to possess explosives and 100 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life.
An eighth person, Kevin Barry Murphy, 50, of Altowen Road, Coalisland, was charged with membership of a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and preparatory acts of terrorism.
It is alleged from the secret recordings that Murphy addressed those attending the bugged meetings as ‘Chief of Staff’ of the IRA.
A senior detective said a total of 500 police officers were involved in the arrest and search operations last week.
He confirmed to the hearing that ‘Operation Arbacia’ was run by the PSNI and that MI5 were tasked by police to gather evidence of two meetings in Co Tyrone in February and July this year by way of audio and video.
An issue of “entrapment” was also raised by a number of defence solicitors.
On Saturday, Derry republican Paddy McDaid and Lurgan suspect Shea Reynolds were in court on membership, directing terrorism and preparatory acts of terrorism.
Reynolds is also accused of conspiracy to to possess Semtex explosives and 100 rounds of ammunition.
The eight men and two women have all been remanded into custody to Maghaberry prison until their next remand hearing on Friday, September 18.
